{"id":500959,"date":"2022-02-06T17:04:48","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T17:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/?p=1552419"},"modified":"2022-02-06T17:04:48","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T17:04:48","slug":"the-bbc-fails-to-challenge-the-tories-yet-again-over-the-cost-of-living-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2022\/02\/06\/the-bbc-fails-to-challenge-the-tories-yet-again-over-the-cost-of-living-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"The BBC fails to challenge the Tories yet again over the cost of living crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On Sunday 6 February, business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng appeared<\/a> on the BBC<\/em>‘s Sunday Morning<\/em>. Predictably, he was asked about Johnson’s leadership<\/a> and its “descent into chaos”. Kwarteng was also asked about the national insurance hike. As reported<\/a> by The Canary<\/em> on 28 January, both the Tories and the BBC<\/em> have attempted to whitewash how severe this hike would be.<\/p>\n

In response to a question from presenter Sophie Rathworth on the national insurance hike, Kwarteng said<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Look, I think the national insurance issue has been settled. We’ve identified the fact that there’s a huge backlog in the NHS, there’s a huge looming issue of social care and this is one way which we can actually foot that huge bill. There was a debate in cabinet but I think the prime minister and chancellor have been clear that the national insurance rise is something which is painful but necessary<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

‘Painful but necessary’<\/h5>\n

But Kwarteng’s “painful but necessary” comment angered some people online. Especially as neither he nor his government colleagues would be feeling that pain:<\/p>\n

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Painful but necessary. @KwasiKwarteng<\/a> You are prepared to let people go hungry and cold while you enjoy a \u00a33,500 heating allowance, over & above salary. \u00a381,932 + Minister's supplement \u00a367,505. That is immoral.<\/p>\n

— Ray Hepburn (@RayHepburn1) February 6, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n