The announcement left fans fuming.
Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins made a huge announcement (Image: ITV)
Good Morning Britain aired an urgent update just minutes into the programme. Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins presented the ITV programme on Easter Monday (April 6) and announced that new welfare reforms have taken effect as a new financial year begins.
This includes the scrapping of the two child benefit cap and an increase in the amount of money pensioners receive. “The two child benefit limit has been officially scrapped today as part of a range of welfare reforms coming into force as the new financial year kicks in,” Charlotte said. Richard added: “The Easter bunny has brought riches. The amount that pensioners receive is going to go up by nearly five per cent, as of today, and those claiming universal credit will be getting a boost as well.
“But there has been criticism from the opposition parties. They say that in the end, the government will end up taxing working people instead.”
They turned to correspondent Louisa James, who noted that the cost of living is still increasing due to the conflict in the Middle East.
She explained that scrapping the two child benefit cap means 450,00 children will be lifted out of poverty, according to the government.
With the state pension rising by 4.8%, Louisa said that amounts up to £575 extra a year for 12 million people. She added that the average family can earn up to £120 extra this year with the increase in universal credit.
The announcement left several viewers furious, with one commenting: “Pensioners £575 RICHER?? Disgusting language to use. They get £12k a year to live on. That is nowhere near rich. Worked all their lives, paid tax & NI to get it yet people get lot’s more untaxed for doing nothing. It’s time to sort out the welfare state not hit pensions.”
Another said: “I’m on the old state pension and also receive a works pension. My increase of 439 minus income tax will be £352 , equals £6 a week….. hardly massive. Council tax has increased £12 monthly, water by £6 monthly as well as huge cost of living increases…… the Maths is simple.”
A third fumed: “Why don’t GMB and other outlets mention the fact that UK state pension is already one of the LOWEST in Europe. It needs at least a 5% increase.”
A fourth echoed: “GMB not happy about the rise for pensioners but spent last year saying they couldn’t afford to turn the heating on, different day different axe to grind.”