Queen: Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard reflect on funeral
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It comes as the National Grid provided a stark warning that the UK could face three-hour power cuts if gas supplies fall short. Friday’s Good Morning Britain saw hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard dedicating significant coverage to the worrying news, but ITV viewers labelled the reporting as “scaremongering”, with some unable to continue listening.
Good Morning Britan correspondent Nitya Gracianna Rajan joined a family concerned about the impact the potential blackouts could have on their two disabled sons.
“It’s significantly worrying times for them, Kate,” she told the presenters after joining via video from the family’s home.
“This is a family with two disabled sons and they need a lot of equipment just to keep life going.
“At the moment here, they’ve got this monitor for example for their 21-year-old, Jordy, who is partially deaf, blind and can’t talk.
“So they need this to keep an eye and ear out for him at all times during night and day.”
The reporter spoke to the boys’ father, Keith, who explained the household would be impacted “very significantly” if blackouts were imposed.
In a different report, Ben commented: “This is a worst-case scenario, but it is on the table” before speaking to correspondent Richard Gaisford live from Shoreham Power Station.
As Ben questioned the possibility of power cuts coming to fruition, Richard remarked: “Everybody you speak to involved in this says it is extremely unlikely.”
He continued: “But there are a couple of real causes for concern that are creating these headlines.
“The first that the National Grid should talk about this is the first place, knowing the hysteria that would then follow.
“The second that Liz Truss, the Prime Minister, who during her leadership campaign absolutely ruled out energy rationing, is now rolling back on that.”
He later added: “There may well not be enough gas for power stations like this that generates electricity – in this case for up to 430,000 homes along the south coast here.”
Many of those tuned into the programme were frustrated by the ongoing reporting of the potential crisis, though.
Twitter user @stryder444 fumed: “Nice bunch of scaremongering from the media. No wonder people don’t trust the media nowadays. #GMB.”
@mrdanleslie penned: “Sorry @GMB but I’m switching off again as all you are doing is scaremongering for stories sake.
It’s really not a good look or any good for people’s state of mind.”
@MisterTeaOK shared: “More scaremongering bs from @GMB #GMB ..thank god people cannot stockpile energy like the did toilet rolls. F*** off!!” (sic)
“More scaremongering from @kategarraway #gmb and the #enemeydia! Blackouts my a***!” @SnappingSandwe1 raged.
@Fibutton remarked: “#gmb are as bad as a sensationalist red top tabloid newspaper – hysterical broadcasting about improbable blackouts…”
Echoing these arguments, @MATWILLIAMS posted: “@GMB Media love this. Chances of it happening are 1-2% and yet still it’s dominating the news.”
Liz Truss has recently sought to calm fears surrounding the warning, stating that the UK “can get through winter”.
Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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