Martin Lewis praised for ‘schooling’ This Morning star about shoplifting

Martin Lewis has been commended for ‘sticking up for children living in poverty’ in an incredibly tense TV moment.

The financial journalist, 52, was appearing on This Morning on Thursday when he weighed into a discussion about the rates of shoplifting rising in the United Kingdom.

Hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary were chatting to guests Nick Ferrari and Ashley James following reports that shoplifting had risen to a 20-year high, with 50 offences being recorded every hour.

Ashley James said she found it ‘heartbreaking’ to see how people were having to turn to shoplifting to feed their families in a first-world country, pointing to poverty as a likely reason for the rise.

‘We have 4.3 million children living in poverty, which translates to nine children in each class of 30 living in poverty,’ she explained.

However, Nick then claimed the rise was instead attributable to gangs and said he didn’t support the idea that people should resort to shoplifting to get by.

‘It’s incredibly rude to people watching this who are on struggle street and are counting every penny. They don’t go out and feel the need to steal. They manage to balance the books,’ he said.

‘There is no possible justification to break the law.’

However clearly unimpressed, Martin, who was sitting to the side of the studio then jumped in.

‘Look, absolutely some of this is gangs but where I need to pick you up Nick, where you are factually incorrect, is the idea that most people find a way to balance the books,’ he began.

‘The statistics currently show that over 50 per cent of people who go to Citizens and Advice Bureau for help are still deficit budgeting at the moment.’

After Nick tried to speak, Martin then asked him to let him finish.

‘Their minimum expenditure is higher than the income they have. It is a massive tragedy in this country, and we have a real issue with poverty,’ he continued.

Raising his voice, Martin said while police needed to monitor shoplifting offences carried out by gangs, he lamented the desperate circumstances many people found themselves in.

‘There is a level of desperation. Yes, shoplifting needs policing and we need less tolerance on it. But the idea that everybody can make ends meet at the moment. I’m sorry, the data say that is factually incorrect.’

He added: ‘I don’t support a society that enables people to be living in a level of poverty where they don’t have enough food that they can’t feed their children.’

‘Zero tolerance for shoplifting. Absolutely. But also zero tolerance for people not having food to be able to give their kids.’

Watching the exchange play out, many This Morning viewers praised Martin’s comments.

‘YES MARTIN!! I do not stand with a society making children live in poverty in 2024!!!’ James posted on X.

‘Martin Lewis sticking up for children living in poverty,’ Lisa shared with a clapping emoji.

‘Love Martin!!! Tell this ignorant man again please!!! Clearly hasn’t got a clue how the majority of the families in the UK are living!!!’ Bianca added.

Many others said Martin had ‘schooled’ Nick with his statements and statistics.