Sunak confronted over OAP forced to choose between giving up dog and foodbank

03 October 2023 , 08:16

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Sunak confronted over OAP forced to choose between giving up dog and foodbank

Multi-millionaire Rishi Sunak was asked whether hard-up families should get rid of their dogs as they battle the cost-of-living crisis.

The super-rich Prime Minister was tackled about spiralling prices live on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. Host Susanna Reid told the Conservative leader: “You’re one of the richest prime ministers we’ve had in this country - are you out of touch with the electorate?”

Mr Sunak hit back: “The thing that people want from me is to make a difference to their lives.” Outlining how tackling inflation was one of the five priorities for his premiership, he added: “The biggest impact I can have on people’s lives is to bring the rate of inflation down.” Latest figures show it has dropped to 6.7% from a peak of 11.1% in October 2022.

Rishi Sunak was challenged over spiralling prices live on ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB/ITV)

Reid told the PM that “inflation soared under your Government” and confronted him with the case of Bill Martin, 80, who faced a heartbreaking decision when his pet fell ill. Bill, who lives in a caravan near Glasgow with his wife and dog, found the pet needed “significant surgery” over the summer, which meant his “pet insurance increased from £28 a month to £55 a month”, said Reid.

She added: “He has a pension of £194 a week but receives no additional help from the Government. His food bill has risen from £160 in May to £210 in September. He has considered going to a foodbank. What choice should Bill Martin make? Should he go to a foodbank or get rid of his dog?”

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Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, the PM, who has a fox red labrador retriever called Nova, admitted: “It’s obviously very sad to hear about Bill’s situation. It’s hard for me without going through all his exact circumstances to figure out the best way to help. I don’t want to see anyone have to go to a foodbank.”

Reid added: “Do you want an 80-year-old retired man to go to a foodbank or do you want him to think that he can no longer afford his dog?” Mr Sunak pointed to the pensions “triple lock” which guarantees pensions rise by the highest of inflation, wage increases or 2.5%. He said it meant OAPs got an extra £800 this year. Reid revealed Bill went to a foodbank in the end.

Ben Glaze