Good Morning Britain viewers voiced outrage over Chancellor John Healey's response to the Autumn Budget, with many criticising the government's financial decisions as inadequate for struggling households.
Following Wednesday's financial statement, GMB's political correspondent Louisa James interviewed Healey, pointing out that he used the word "hope" a dozen times during his remarks.
Healey's 'Breathing Space' Defence
James pressed the Chancellor on cost of living measures, noting that Martin Lewis had used a very different word on the programme the previous morning, describing January as a potential "nightmare" due to rising bills.
Healey responded: "Martin Lewis is absolutely right about the pressures that people feel. I recognise those and I've wanted to respond in this Budget by creating a Budget that creates a bit of breathing space, both for households from the cost of living and businesses from the cost of business that they're under as well."
Viewer Backlash on Ukraine Funding
Viewers took to social media to express their frustration, with many focusing on the £10 billion extra help pledged to Ukraine compared to the £2.6bn for British people and the one-off £100 energy bill handout.
One viewer fumed: "It was a nothing budget! A little here and there, but honestly where is £100 going to go on your electric bill or stopping the gas standing charge merely for them to shove the unit price up? As for throwing money at the Ukraine yet again, sorry, but we can't afford that!"
Another argued: "£10 billion extra help for Ukraine, £2.6bn to help British people ... says it all. I'd get more help from the budget if I emigrated there."
A third viewer raged: "How much for defence & when?! How much of 10BN promised to Ukraine will be paid back? Apart from £100 How much help given to everyday Jo blogs & family who can't claim a penny in benefits?! This was a budget for Labour voters & the clueless very young. No one else will benefit!"
Another echoed: "So we've given the Ukraine £25 billion, now a further £10 billion. That works out at roughly £500 for every man, woman and child in the UK for a country that means nothing to us other than it's at war with Russia. It's a war they can't win and a money pit for us in the UK."
One viewer claimed: "There were only 3 winners Welfare, Illegals and Ukraine. @UKLabour we're waiting to see how the measly budget landed before calling an election, that's why Burnham said he won't call one for 12 months. Had it landed well he'd call it asap."
Someone else said: "Breathing space for who? The Labour Party that's who - they dare not do what they really want to do as it would need a new manifesto and it will lose too many votes - careful what we wish for!"
This is a breaking live TV story, and the Showbiz Express.co.uk team will be updating this story with the latest information as soon as it is received.
