A fiery row erupted on GB News as broadcaster Carole Malone clashed with political commentator Jonathan Lis over plans to reform the Motability scheme.
Ms Malone argued the system was being “abused by so many people”, claiming some had even received free cars for “having an allergy”.
She said: “They’re going to reform it, and quite right too. It’s being abused by so many people. You could get a free car if you’ve got some kind of allergy.”
Mr Lis snapped back: “That’s ridiculous. That’s actually not true.”
The row got heated as the pair argued over the benefits
|
GB NEWS
Ms Malone hit back, insisting: “It is true.”
But Mr Lis stood his ground, fuming: “It’s not. A small number of people are claiming it’s true, but it’s a tiny, tiny minority.
“There’s always some abuse in any system, but that doesn’t mean you throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Ms Malone argued that with the welfare bill “edging towards £100billion”, radical action was needed to get people back to work.
She said: “There can’t possibly be this many millions of people who just won’t work. I think it’s around nine million who are classed as economically inactive.”
Mr Lis replied: “Of course there are major problems, but we can’t just dismantle entire systems.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The debate later turned to Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to scrap stamp duty if the Conservatives win the next General Election.
Mr Lis explained: “If you have a house worth £350,000 and you’re a first-time buyer, you don’t pay stamp duty on the first £300,000, and you pay five per cent on the next £50,000.
“That’s £2,500. One journalist pointed out yesterday that there are very few young people who can’t buy a £350,000 house because of £2,500.”
GB News host Miriam Cates countered: “Ah, but it’s not just about the price. It’s about the fact it stops the market moving.
“Stamp duty is a much bigger barrier for people at the top of the housing market.
“I know you don’t feel sorry for them, but if they don’t downsize or move, then people below them can’t get on the ladder. It’s about keeping properties in the pipeline.”
Speaking to Tory members at the conference, Mrs Badenoch described ending stamp duty as “key to a fairer society,” saying it would make housing more affordable and ease the burden on homeowners.
When buying a home, like a house or flat, Britons normally pay stamp duty land tax on rising portions of the property price.