Martin Lewis 'kicks off' after being asked if it's more beneficial not to work

People are exploding on social media in debate over the UK's benefits system after Martin Lewis 'kicked off' on his TV show.

With the cost of living crisis worsening and jobs being put on the line as a result of company's need to cut costs, many are facing a difficult period ahead and wondering how they can best stay afloat.

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has offered reassurance and advice to many, using his television show and website to give expert advice and discussion, such as how to best knock money off energy bills and tricks to avoid price hikes.

While Lewis has frequently called out the UK government for its 'load of bull' excuses and sided with the public, the 50-year-old has his limits.

A clip has since been spread on social media of Lewis 'kicking off' at a viewer after they questioned whether they should work at all or just rely on benefits.

PA Images/ Alamy Stock Photo

The question was sent into The Martin Lewis Money Show Live by a viewer named Roscoe.

It reads: "With tax and benefits rising, is it better sitting on your backside and getting benefits than actually doing some work.

"Sure seems like many are doing it."

@johnmclain81/ TikTok/ ITV

Lewis was quick to contest the view - and it seemed hard for the presenter to hide his frustration at the question.

The Money Saving Expert said: "Well I disagree with the premise. Many people who are on benefits are in work. Or have disabilities, or are carers, or have ill health.

"The idea that everybody is a scrounger is just factually wrong and out of order."

PjrNews/ Alamy Stock Photo

After being asked for his opinion by Lewis, Lee Healey from IncomeMax added he believes it's 'always normally beneficial to work'.

He said: "With universal credit, the worse that can happen is that you lose 55p in a pound from when the taper kicks in.

"And the government designed the system to try and make sure people are better off in work.

"For me, I think the most important question is how can we make our social security system our safety net and work, work better for everyday.

"It's not a perfect system but I always think work is good for us and we need our social security safety net."

@johnmclain81/ TikTok

Viewers of the programme have flocked to social media to debate the reason why some people end up on benefits.

One said: "It's totally untrue that people are on benefits because they're 'idle'."

Another said: "Looking at these benefits I suddenly realised why the UK is bankrupt.

"This level of support creates a population of people who refuse to work because benefits are simply too generous.

"I'm an employer and staff won't work overtime because they lose benefits. That's a real issue."

@myjm/ Twitter

However, staying resolute in his argument, the man, the myth and the legend which is Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis resolved: "Many people pay into the system, many people have problems, surely part of living in a civilised society is helping those who need help."

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can find more information about where to get help from Turn2Us via their website.