LOUDMOUTH Katie Hopkins has provoked a Twitter row after she defended payday lending companies, saying they were “a good business model.”
The controversial star
took part in a heated TV debate about debt last night in which she also
criticised teenage mothers and slammed people for spending too much
money on Christmas.
Hundreds of people took to Twitter to condemn her views but today she remained defiant in the face of mounting anger.
Ms Hopkins made her comments on Channel Five’s The Big 'Can't Pay' Debt Debate: Live, which was hosted by Nick Ferarri.
When the issue of payday loans with high interest rates was raised Ms Hopkins said : "I think it's a decent business model."
She
slamed another woman, who had struggled with debt after spending £1,600
on Christmas presents, saying: "You have to save for Christmas.” She
later questioned how anyone can spend that kind of figure on children’s
gifts.
The 39-year-old’s appearance on the show sparked a fierce reaction on Twitter.
TV
psychologist Jo Hemmings wrote: “Is @KTHopkins obligatory in every TV
debate? If they can only find one gobby mare like her, it's hardly
representative.”
Another, @MetalOllie, added: “Why do
we need to hear from that vacuous, hate filled bag of spew. Katie
Hopkins voice is of NO value to ANY serious debate
While @JoeyRymell posted: “@KTHopkins we don't hate you because you're famous, you're famous because we hate you.
But Hopkins too took to the social media site to hit back at those criticising her.
She
wrote: “I don't worry about debt because I don't buy things I can't
afford. We save for the future, insure against illness & tell kids
'no'. Simple”
She also tweeted: “The
only thing people in debt have in common other than bad money
management, is an ability to blame anyone but themselves. #debtdebate”
Nine
million people are said to be struggling to pay their debts. Millions
of Britons would have to borrow money to pay their bills within a month
of losing their job.
Forty per cent would need a loan
within three months, while one in 10 is so close to the financial abyss
that they live week-to-week and would have to go cap in hand to friends
or family to make ends meet.
Even when mortgages are taken out of the calculations, the average family still owes more than £8,000, according to the survey.
Christian
Guy, director of the Centre for Social Justice, said: “Years of
increased borrowing, rising living costs and struggling to save have
forced many families into a debt trap that is very difficult to escape.
“Problem
debt can have a corrosive impact on people and families. It can wreak
havoc on mental health, relationships and wellbeing.
“People
are awake until the early hours worrying about their finances and
bills, while some of the poorest are cut off from mainstream banking and
have no choice but to turn to loan sharks and high-cost lenders.”
The
study also revealed a worrying lack of financial knowledge, with one in
six borrowers having no idea what interest rates they are paying.