Question Time audience member left speechless as Fiona Bruce forced to step in

hosted a new episode of on Thursday with the panel discussion being held in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The topic being debated was: "Would the removal of the two child benefit cap encourage a welfare culture?" It comes as the Labour government is considering getting rid of the two-child benefit cap first brought in by the Conservatives. Since 2017, parents have only been able to claim child tax credit and universal credit for their first two children, if they were born after April 2017. But now, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has given the government's strongest hint yet it may scrap the cap after she told Sky News ministers are "considering" lifting it. She claimed the policy had driven many families into poverty and "nothing is off the table" as ministers consider scrapping it.

One viewer praised Labour MP Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, for speaking up in support of the government scrapping the two-child benefit cap. However, his next comment left the BBC host baffled, as he also praised a Tory MP on the panel, David Simmonds, despite his party having polar opposite views. "As a life-long Labour supporter, I'm really pleased to hear what Heidi has to say," the audience member exclaimed.

He continued: "I really hope this is Labour finding their moral compass and not toffing their hats to the Reform Party and to Nigel Farage!

"Exactly as the Conservative gentleman has just discussed, it really is the best way of taking children out of poverty!"

Fiona bluntly shot back: "Yes, but the Conservatives don't support that policy", leaving the man momentarily speechless.

He blushed and struggled for words, before conceding: "Well, they should support it", and argued that ministers had a "responsibility" to support the next generation of workers.

However, just moments earlier, Conservative minister Simmons had made it clear that he thought removing the two-child benefit cap risked "not being fair" to taxpayers.

During the passionate debate, it was argued that children who grew up without money would likely cost the government more in the long-term, as poverty could spark long-term health conditions which might be costly to the NHS.

However, others argued that people should live within their means, stick to two kids and avoid having additional children they could not afford, placing the burden on parents for making irresponsible choices.

Meanwhile, political commentator Tim Montgomery added a touch of humour to the debate, quipping: "House prices are the most powerful contraceptive imaginable!"