Kemi Badenoch ambushed on Good Morning Britain as Martin Lewis storms the set

kemi badenoch was confronted live on air after she defended her party’s plan to cut interest rates on some student loans, an exchange that turned into a public clash with finance campaigner Martin Lewis and a heated back-and-forth with interviewer Ed Balls.

Kemi Badenoch faced questions from Ed Balls and other presenters

During an interview about the Conservatives’ student loan proposal, Ed Balls challenged Badenoch on whether the Tory plan would help only former students in the highest-paying jobs. Badenoch insisted "I don’t think that’s right, " while Balls replied: "It’s definitely right. " Susanna Reid was also among the hosts involved in the programme’s exchanges.

Martin Lewis marched on to the set, shouted from off-set and sat on the sofa

Martin Lewis began shouting from off-set before walking into shot to side with Balls, at one point sitting on the sofa. He marched on to the set to say he completely disagreed with Badenoch's approach and told the Tory leader her policy to cut interest rates will only help top earners. Lewis, who styles himself as a money-saving expert and runs MoneySavingExpert, is described in polling as heavily trusted by much of the public on personal finance matters.

What the Conservative plan would change and Laura Trott's warning on course cuts

The Conservative plan, set out overnight, would scrap any above-inflation interest rate increases on so-called plan 2 student loans in England for those who started courses from 2012 to 2022. The change would be financed by cutting tens of thousands of university courses that do not provide "value for money" for students. Interviewed about the plan on Sunday, the shadow education secretary, Laura Trott, suggested this could include creative arts courses.

Live confrontation produced sharp exchanges and specific policy claims

Balls challenged Badenoch that the plan would only benefit those earning enough to start repaying their debt. At that point Lewis intervened directly, saying: "If you want to help the middle-earning students, the most important thing is the repayment threshold should have been increased. " He added: "Lowering the interest rate now will only help those who can clear [the debt] within the 30 years, which means lower and middle earning graduates won’t benefit from that change. If you have £1bn to help students, the most direct thing that would help all students would be not freezing the repayment threshold. "

Badenoch maintained the policy stance on air, insisting "everybody will benefit", and adding: "I’m the first person who’s even trying to solve this problem. " Lewis replied he had repeatedly pointed out problems with the system, saying: "When the Conservative government brought it in in 2012 I said we shouldn’t have above-inflation interest rates. "

Aftermath: apology, offers to meet and viewers' reaction

Lewis later issued an apology to Badenoch for the interruption, saying she handled it "far better than I would have the other way round". He wrote on X: "I have asked my office to request a meeting, if you are available, to discuss this more calmly. " Badenoch replied: "Hi MartinSLewis, thank you. I really appreciate that, and honestly, don’t worry. I do love a feisty debate!"

The programme also addressed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest and the subject of university students' debt. Viewers took to Twitter with strong reactions, one writing: "What an embarrassment of a show Good Morning Britain is. Getting Martin Lewis to ambush Kemi Badenoch and then getting their a***s handed to them #gmb. " Another posted: "Well done, Kemi, such graceful handling of that rabble of so-called presenters......#gmb. " Following the interview, Badenoch admitted: "I've never come into an interview from behind - that was very exciting. " She then warned Lewis she would interrupt him in the future.

Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays on ITV from 6am. Monday, 23rd February 2026. There is increasing political consensus that the current system, unclear in the provided context