Hunt attacks BBC on air, saying the presenter’s portrayal of the British economy is undignified

JEREMY Hunt this morning attacked the BBC for painting a ‘pessimistic’ picture of the British economy.

The chancellor became embroiled in a row with Today program presenter Amol Rajan, accusing his reporting of being “unworthy” of the national broadcaster.

Jeremy Hunt became embroiled in a feud with Amol RajanCredit: i-images

Amol Rajan said the economy was "buoyant at best, stagnant at worst" — Amol Rajan said the economy was “at best drifting and at worst stagnant”Credit: Getty

They clashed live after Rajan suggested yesterday’s budget had not come “even close” to solving the country’s problems.

He said: “This is a country wracked by economic shocks – drifting at best, stagnant at worst.

“We all know its potential, but we have had seven quarters of declining GDP, which has been revised downwards.

“The birth rate is addicted to foreign labor and is collapsing. Many public services are cracking, municipalities are going bankrupt.

“Those are facts. Has your budget really come close to matching the scale of the challenges this country faces?”

Mr Hunt insisted his plan was not about “quick fixes unraveling” but about “long-term solutions”.

He then swiped: “And by the way, I think the general characterization you just gave of the British economy is unworthy of the BBC, because we have grown faster…”

Rajan stepped in to defend the company, which he said had tens of thousands of employees, before declaring: “There is no such thing as the BBC, and I am quoting facts about this country that many people feel.”

Hunt hit back: “Well, it’s unworthy of you, Amol,” before mounting a counter to his “pessimistic” presentation.

The Office for Budget Responsibility said yesterday that inflation and interest rates will fall faster than forecast this year.

The public finance watchdog also confirmed yesterday that Britain was emerging from its short-lived recession and said lower inflation and interest rates would “support a stronger recovery this year and next.”

The OBR now expects the economy to grow by 0.8 percent instead of 0.7 percent, and predicts growth will be 1.9 percent instead of 1.4 percent next year.

But it also warned that unemployed Britons are a major drag on the economy, and that net migration will remain at 315,000 in the long term.