Susanna Reid sparks ITV GMB meltdown as lefty viewers moan host has gone 'full hard right' over Labour probe: 'Stop punching down!'

Keen to delve into the intricacies of Mr McFadden and Labour's plans when it came to the benefit system, Ms Reid put to the politician: "You have said, Pat McFadden, that reform of the welfare system, the benefits system, must happen.

"We know that the government had to abandon a huge chunk of its plans to cut benefits. A huge bill, and it is going up exponentially. So, what are you doing to cut the welfare system?"

Mr McFadden confidently replied: "Well, a big reform that’s still going through is the change to the universal credit system, and that is really important because it deals with some of the incentives that we’ve had in the system to people declaring themselves unfit for work to double their money, which is what’s been happening up until now.

"And we’ve changed those incentives so that there is a smaller gap between what people get on, if you like, standard universal credit, what we might have called unemployment benefit in old money, and the health element of universal credit.

"That went through as part of the reforms in the summer. That’s really important, and it deals with the point of incentives.

"The second question is the matter of support. Up until now, the system has been too ready to sign people off sick and then never contact them again.

"And through a programme called Pathways to Work, we’ve put a lot of extra money into getting support to people to invite them in, to not regard their sickness condition as permanent, but to ask them if they are interested in finding work to support them getting work.

"That has not been happening before. What was happening was that people were declaring themselves long-term sick, and then the system was never contacting them again. So, on two fronts, both incentives and support, we are reforming the system."

Mr Madeley then asked: "But you will know that the overwhelming impression in this country now is that this government is hobbled and limited by how far it can reform welfare payments because of your backbenchers. Your backbenchers simply won’t allow anything too radical to get through."

Mr McFadden hit back: "Well, look, the reforms had a rocky time in July, and we’ve had to take this forward in a different way.

"We’re doing that, and my colleague Stephen Timms is leading a review of personal independence payments with some of the charities involved in that sector. That will report next year.

"We’re taking that forward in a different way. But reform of the system is constant, as I said. Through the youth hubs we are announcing today, which is extra help to get young people into work, through Pathways to Work to help disabled people, and the incentives. The reform does go on."

Turning her attention to the money given to foreign nationals who've been deported from the UK, some of whom happened to have criminal convictions, Ms Reid quizzed: "We have seen the first time ever that a journalist has managed to film on a deportation flight. And on that flight, many of those being deported who were convicted of crimes in this country, including sexual abuse and even murder, are filmed receiving a credit card loaded up with £2,000.

"Now, these are people who are convicts, convicted of, in some cases, the worst crimes. And viewers are asking, why are we giving them £2,000 when we’ve made them leave the country because they have committed crimes against the country?"

A floundering Mr McFadden replied: "Well, the first point to make is on deportations and removals. We’ve removed 35,000 people who didn’t have a right to be in the country over the past year. There’s an increased rate of removals.

"On the matter of credit cards, I haven’t seen the report, and I expect the Home Office will respond to the report later today. I don’t know the circumstances of that. £2,000 is a resettlement fee, and it’s only given if people cooperate with their deportation."

But Ms Reid kept her foot on the gas: "But in the case of foreign criminals, people who have actually committed crimes, viewers are wondering how we’ve got that sort of money to give people who are convicts who we’re effectively kicking out of the country — so much cash."

Mr McFadden refused to budge: "Well, I haven’t seen the report. As I say, it’s best that my colleagues at the Home Office respond to that.

What are you doing to cut the welfare system?@susannareid100 challenges Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden about the government's plans. pic.twitter.com/7gIKZc7pVc

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 24, 2025

"They oversee this deportation system, and it’s best that they do that when they’ve got the full facts. I’m just hearing about it as you quote it to me this morning."

Mr Madeley laid the facts out further: "Well, in effect, it’s a bribe. It’s to get them to go quietly. If they don’t go quietly — we’ll see in the report — if they act up, as some of them do, some of them throw cups of urine at police officers and immigration officers, others kick and scream and yell and make threats… they don’t get the card.

"But if they go quietly, they get up to £2,000. It’s a straightforward bribe. It’s the principle we’re talking about, really. You must have a view on that."

Mr McFadden again dodged the probe: "Well, look, it’s always difficult to comment on an individual case, and I think it’s unwise to do that. Having reported on the issue, it’s better that the Home Office respond to that, and they set out the circumstances where these cards can be used and where they can’t."

Following the interview, the nature of Ms Reid's questioning in particular appeared to irk a number of ITV viewers at home.

One X user accused Ms Reid of "going full hard right" for supposedly "demanding destruction of the welfare system". They added: "McFadden throwing them meat by astonishingly claiming people ‘declare themselves long term sick’ to receive benefits. How do we compete with this level of dishonesty & thirst for degradation…"

A second also took aim at Ms Reid: "What the actual f*** are you talking about @susannareid100? Is it a TV presenter's job to now attack the poorest and disabled? Don’t look now, your right-wing fascist side is showing. Maybe we should be thinking about how many are in poverty while millionaires are up by 44%?"

"Why is this your question @GMB? What have you got against disabled people @GMB?" a third asked.

And a fourth also complained: "Good Morning Britain... the worst piece of disgusting propogandist c**p in the country, stop punching down you utter b*****s. The welfare system, which used to be called social security is there as a safety net. Cutting it is immoral, you muppets."

"@GMB tell you how we can bridge the gap in welfare spending Susanna Reid by taxing wealthy people like yourself more," a fifth added, while a sixth also fumed at Ms Reid: "Susanna... talking c**p again I see."

However, Ms Reid did receive some support from viewers who backed her line of questioning. "Even Reid is waking up to all this madness! Why not suggest the clown who came on goes and reads the report and you’ll have back in the morning," one X user suggested.

And a second even claimed Ms Reid didn't go far enough. "@GMB panel not asking the difficult questions again regarding reform to non-UK citizens! In simple terms, @UKLabour go after the vulnerable instead of tackling the benefits it hands out to non-UK citizens. The incumbents of cross-party politicians are pathetic and woke," they said. (sic)