Susanna Reid scolded a Tory MP for smiling during an important discussion over energy bills on Good Morning Britain, sternly telling him that the issue is "not a laughing matter".
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris appeared on the ITV show to discuss when people in Northern Ireland will receive promised second payments towards their energy bills. All households are awaiting a £400 payment, which will offer vital support during the cost of living crisis this winter, but many in Northern Ireland have said they are yet to receive their payment.
GMB hosts Susanna and Ben Shephard pressed the Northern Ireland Secretary to confirm exactly when households in the region can expect to get their payment, but the MP fell short of committing to a date as he insisted that the Government would issue an update on the payments "as soon as possible".
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Ben pushed for further clarity, asking Heaton-Harris: "So next week, you will be able to let people know when they’re going to get these payments and how that will arrive."
The Secretary of State replied: "I very much hope that will be the case. Honestly, I would love to do it sooner. Northern Ireland has a specific energy market. It is a completely unique market."
Susanna then insisted: "So we will get back in touch with you on Monday and find out." As the MP grinned at her remark, the host was quick to challenge him.
"Well, you’re smiling, but it’s not a laughing matter, is it?" Susanna asked. "For those people who haven't got enough money to get through paying their energy bills this winter."
Heaton-Harris clarified: "I'm smiling because I don't think I need you to get back in touch with me, because I really want to deliver this and I feel I can."
Not satisfied with his response, Susanna gave an exasperated sigh as Ben shot back: "Ok, well, that's the first time [viewers] have been given anything - so you're saying at the start of next week, they will get an understanding of when they will get this money and how it will arrive?"
Still failing to commit to a definitive answer, the MP stumbled over his words as he answered: "As I said, I very much hope that next week I will be able to give complete clarity on when this £400 will turn up in people’s accounts."
"You say you don’t need us to get back in touch with you, but these people have heard nothing," Susanna continued to grill the MP. "Unless we get back in touch with you and broadcast the information, they’re not going to find out, are they?
"It’s the purpose of the media," she told Heaton-Harris, before the conversation moved on to the strike action by NHS nurses. It's the second time in as many days that Susanna has scolded a GMB guest, after shutting down an interview with a Just Stop Oil protestor on Wednesday after he admitted to not watching the morning show.
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