Stacey Solomon has openly spoken about how being on benefits 'saved her life' before she found fame. The TV star was discussing the cost of living crisis as she joined the panel on Friday's Loose Women. Their conversations came a day after chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined a fresh package of support for people across the country.
She joined Kaye Adams, Judi Love and Nadia Sawalha on the lastest edition of the ITV lunchtime show as they spoke about the possibility of households receiving £400 to help with their energy bills. While Kaye said she'd give any money she received back or to charity, Stacey, 32, spoke about how 'out of touch' the government are.
While Kaye argued that it was "unprecedented times" with the Covid pandemic being followed by Ukraine's war with Russia, Stacey used her own past struggles to argue back.
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"When I had Zachary at 17, 18, I got a Sure Start Grant, it was called at the time, and I can't tell you how much that saved my life," the now mum-of-four said. "My working tax credits saved our life, we could not have got by without those. The milk tokens that we used to get to help us buy SMA and milk and stuff from the shops that we couldn't afford.
"All of that got abolished. Like some of my friends who are in similar circumstances now don't even have those opportunities, they're completely taken away from people and then they turn around and go, 'oh look, we're in a cost of living crisis, let's roll out £400'. It's too little too late."
The Sort Your Life Out and Bake Off: The Professionals host then added: "I don't think they realise for most people who need that £400, that money was spent six months ago."
And Loose Women viewers were impressed by Stacey's passion for the subject and opening up about the situation she once found herself in like millions of others do today. @Tidos6 applauded and wrote: "Go Stacey! #LooseWomen."
@KazP19 said: "Every single time I catch @StaceySolomon on #LooseWomen she impresses me so much. So many people who comment on current affairs have only ever known huge riches. Imo we need to hear from many more like Stacey who has actually lived through tougher financial times in her life."
Stacey has previously opened up about becoming a first-time mum at 17. In a sweet birthday tribute to her son, Zachary, last year she said alongside a video featuring moments from their life together: "It definitely wasn’t a coincidence. The truth is you changed my whole life. I could never have comprehended the light and love you would bring.
"At 17 years old the things they said about us, what they didn’t know was that you were my beginning, my reason, my sole purpose to get up and do my absolute best. And you’ve been by my side ever since. It would never have turned out this way without you."
Stacey also shares Rex, two, and baby Rose with fiancé Joe Swash, and Leighton, nine, from a previous relationship. The former X Factor star and ex-EastEnders actor Joe are due to say 'I Do' in July in a ceremony in the garden of their home, Pickle Cottage.
