Susanna Reid Wrecks Labour Minister in Fiery Clash—Then Cuts Them Off Live on Air!

Things got heated on Good Morning Britain as Susanna Reid and Ed Balls put a Labour minister through her paces over the possibility of new tax rises. Industry Minister Sarah Jones appeared on the show ahead of the Office of Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) latest statement on the economy, but the interview quickly turned tense as she dodged direct answers—much to the frustration of the presenters.

Jones attempted to focus on Labour’s economic priorities, saying: “What’s most important to us of course is the security of our nation and we need to pay for that, but we also need to make sure people are getting money in their pockets, they’re getting good jobs, we’re investing in the industries of the future.”

She added that the government’s industrial strategy would be a “guiding light” for the next decade, ensuring economic growth and job creation. But Ed Balls wasn’t buying it, according to the Express.

“The problem is when you say those things – you know, green shoots, more jobs, strengthen our economy – it’s so out of sync with what’s actually happening,” he shot back. He pointed out that the OBR was expected to report a weaker economy and worsening financial outlook, yet Labour was still pushing ahead with plans to cut benefits for people on sickness or disability benefits.

Jones insisted they were waiting for the OBR’s report before making any final decisions, but her vague responses only wound up Susanna Reid, who went straight for the key question: “Of course, you’ve raised employers’ national insurance. Can I ask, are you considering any new taxes?”

Jones refused to give a straight answer, replying: “I’m not going to speculate, I’m sorry about that, on what the Chancellor may say or may not. We are investigating every penny that we spend so we are spending taxpayers’ money wisely.”

But Susanna wasn’t letting her off the hook that easily. “So there might be tax rises in the budget?” she pressed. Jones stuck to her script, refusing to confirm or deny: “I’m not going to speculate on anything that may or may not come from the Chancellor. They’re her decisions to make and she will make them in the national interest.”

But Reid wasn’t having it. “That means it’s a possibility—you would otherwise say there are no new taxes,” she pointed out.

ones tried to reassure viewers, saying Labour had “made commitments” on key policies like keeping corporation tax stable, but Susanna quickly fired back, reminding her that Labour had already broken its manifesto pledge not to cut international aid.

As Jones attempted to defend the decision, Reid cut her off with a sharp closing remark: “Which presumably is going to be an argument you would use on any point, on any page of your manifesto. We will wait to hear what the OBR says. Thank you very much indeed, thanks for joining us this morning.”

Jones may have hoped for a straightforward TV appearance, but she left the GMB studio having been well and truly put through the wringer.