Martin Lewis and Nick Ferrari force This Morning to be halted as poverty row explodes

Martin Lewis and Nick Ferrari butted heads during a debate about shoplifting. During Thursday's instalment (July 25) of This Morning, presenters Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond revealed shoplifting figures are at an all time high.

With England being one of the richest countries in the world, Ashley James declared no one should be living in an environment where they are forced to steal baby formula to feed their child.

The former Made in Chelsea star, 37, noted that shoplifting is also down to gangs, but that poverty is a huge factor. Nick, 65, disagreed with Ashley's point, claiming it is mainly down to gangs.

"Most of it is down to gangs. To Ashley's point, I totally disagree. No one needs to steal. That is incredibly rude to people who are watching this and who are counting every penny," he said. "They don't go out and feel the need to steal, they find a way to balance the books."

He added: "There is no possible justification to break the law." Martin, 52, couldn't help but jump in as he called out the LBC host.

The money saving expert said: "Where I need to pick you up Nick, where you are factually incorrect, is the idea that most people find a way to balance the books.

"The statistics currently show that over 50 percent of people who go to citizens advice bureau for money and debt help, even after they've had the expert professional advice there, are still deficit budgeting at the moment."

"Martin, that does mean they can nick," the radio presenter interjected. Martin continued: "In other words, their minimum expenditure is higher than the income they have."

Nick probed: "So they can nick from Tesco and Sainsburys can they?" Martin reiterated that Nick's point about balancing the books was factually incorrect, adding: "It's a massive tragedy in this country, we have a real issue with poverty."

The Good Morning Britain presenter then told a story about a woman who was forced to steal a loaf of bread because she wasn't able to feed her children. The woman then returned the following week and left an envelope with the money and a note explaining why she stole it.

Nick went on: "But briefly, Martin, do you support people who nick the loaf of bread and don't send the money back in an envelope?" The 52-year-old responded: "I don't support a society that enables people to be living in the level of poverty where they don't have enough food to feed their children."

The broadcaster repeatedly claimed that Martin wasn't answering the question, leading Martin to reply: "I don't support shoplifting in any way but nor do I support that we don't provide enough national support for these people."

Alison and Dermot were forced to step in as they cut the debate short, sending the programme to an ad break.