Ed Balls Faces Backlash Over “Soft” Interview with Labour’s John Healey on Good Morning Britain

Ed Balls has come under fire following his interview with Labour’s John Healey on Good Morning Britain, where the Defence Secretary discussed Keir Starmer’s controversial decision to cut the winter fuel allowance for 10 million pensioners.

During the Tuesday (September 3) broadcast, Healey addressed the government’s recent announcement that the universal winter fuel payment, previously worth between £100 and £300 per year for pensioners, would now be restricted only to those receiving pension credit, told Daily Express.

Healey described the move as a “big and difficult” decision, emphasizing the financial challenges facing the current budget. He explained, “We’re faced with a financial situation and a deficit in the current budgets this year which is far worse than anyone thought beforehand. Winter fuel allowances was not a decision that we expected or wanted to take but it’s a sign of the measures we will take to get the public finances under control.”

He also highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure that the poorest pensioners, who may not be claiming pension credit, receive the support they need. “The very poorest pensioners, those entitled to pension credit, one in three just don’t pick it up. That’s why you’ve also seen the government launch a big drive to help and make sure they get it ahead of the winter,” Healey added.

However, viewers criticized Ed Balls for what they perceived as a lack of rigour in questioning Healey, accusing him of giving the minister an “easy ride.” One viewer took to X to express frustration, writing, “Got an easy ride with insincere word salad. What more can we expect when Ed Balls the ‘interviewer’ is married to Yvette Cooper MP?”

Another viewer echoed the sentiment, urging, “Ed Balls should say it’s wrong and put him under pressure!!” Others accused him of bias, with one remarking, “Ed Balls is back asking his colleagues questions,” while another criticized the decision to have Balls, a former Labour politician, interview a Labour representative.

Adding to the unexpected changes on the show, Susanna Reid, who was scheduled to co-host with Balls, had to pull out at the last minute due to a family emergency. Ranvir Singh explained to viewers that Susanna needed to stay with her son, who had fallen ill overnight, leaving Balls to host the show solo.

The criticism of Balls’ interview style, combined with the sudden absence of Reid, made for an eventful morning on Good Morning Britain, leaving viewers with strong opinions on the show’s handling of important political discussions.