Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith defends 'learn how to budget' remarks

A Tory MP is lasting by comments helium made that firefighters earning £32,000 a twelvemonth who usage nutrient banks should "learn however to budget".

Brendan Clarke-Smith tweeted that the thought of radical connected this wealth utilizing a nutrient slope was the astir "ridiculous" happening helium had heard.

"If true", helium added, they should larn "how to fund and prioritise".

His remarks sparked a row, with galore radical highlighting the soaring costs of energy, food, substance and rent.

The MP for Bassetlaw, successful Nottinghamshire, denied claims his comments were "patronising", telling the BBC determination was a wide request crossed the colonisation for radical to larn however to negociate their finances better.

He besides pointed to "many things" helium said the authorities had done to assistance radical with the outgo of living, including their vigor bills.

But, helium told the BBC, it was incorrect to "trivialise" nutrient banks and to usage them arsenic a "catch-all term" each clip determination was a wage dispute.

Most radical successful his Bassetlaw constituency had to negociate connected little than £32,000 a year, helium added, and the median wage successful the country was £25,800.

Critics connected societal media noted that MPs gain a basal yearly wage of £84,144, and tin assertion expenses for accommodation, bureau costs and travel.

In an interrogation connected Tuesday, Transport Secretary Mark Harper distanced himself from Mr Clarke-Smith's comments, telling LBC: "I wouldn't enactment things successful the mode that helium has."

Mr Clarke-Smith was responding to a tweet from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which said: "Freedom of Information requests uncover that Chief Fire Officers are connected mean connected £148,000 - whilst galore mean firefighters, connected £32,244, are forced to foodbanks."

He replied: "I respect the profession, but £32,244 and utilizing a foodbank? Never heard specified a ridiculous happening successful my life.

"I earned a batch little than that for astir of my teaching vocation and truthful bash galore of my constituents. If true, which is unlikely, I suggest learning however to fund and prioritise."

In a column for the Worksop Guardian published connected Friday, Mr Clarke-Smith said helium had been dismayed by the FBU's nutrient slope claim.

He said anyone could autumn connected hard times and person to usage nutrient banks, careless of their income.

This could beryllium for a assortment of reasons, including a short-term cashflow occupation oregon a household tragedy, helium added.

Another Nottinghamshire Conservative MP precocious sparked a backlash erstwhile helium suggested that striking nurses who utilized nutrient banks were not managing their wealth properly.

Lee Anderson, who represents Ashfield, said: "I heard immoderate nonsense a fewer weeks backmost that nurses were really stealing nutrient disconnected patients' plates. I don't judge it.

"Anybody earning 30-odd-grand a year, which astir nurses are, utilizing nutrient banks, past they've got thing incorrect with their ain finances."