Jeremy Clarkson faces backlash after demanding profit claimants write thanks letters
Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has attracted criticism after arguing that everyone receiving benefits should be made to send a message of thanks to taxpayers
Jeremy Clarkson has sparked a backlash after saying benefit claimants should write thank you letters to taxpayers(Image: Getty)
Jeremy Clarkson has sparked a social media backlash after saying benefit claimants should write weekly thank you letters to taxpayers because his pet dogs are more grateful. The former Top Gear presenter made the suggestion after describing his three mutts as “the uber benefits scroungers” because he pays for their food, walks and vet bills.
But he said they always showed their appreciation. Clarkson argued that everyone receiving benefits should be given the email address of a randomly selected taxpayer every week.
He suggested they should then be made to send a heartfelt message of thanks before receiving their next payment.
Clarkson made the suggestion after describing his three pet dogs as ‘the uber benefits scroungers’(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
Clarkson wrote: “I want fulsomeness. I want to hear what they’ve done with the £194 I gave them that week. And I want effusiveness as well. I want to feel their gratitude.”
The TV star said recipients should explain how the money had helped them, joking he wanted to receive messages saying: “It is SO kind of you to go to work every day so that I don’t have to.”
He also suggested some people might decide getting a job was preferable to writing lengthy thank you letters every week.
The TV star said recipients should explain how the money had helped them(Image: PA)
But his comments prompted an angry reaction online, with many accusing him of being insensitive towards people who rely on benefits.
One person wrote: “What an evil bloke! There were nights when we couldn’t even afford to eat, never mind have a TV.”
Another posted: “Hatred for the sick or poor in this country is unbelievable. The government already does a huge amount to force people into work, even when they’re too ill to do so.
They added: “The idea that there is mass fraud is disproved again and again. What’s the desired alternative? Let them die?”
A third said: “This is out of touch. Most people on benefits want to work. I am a high-skilled worker, the company I worked for went under.
“With the state of the job market it took five months to find work. I applied for hundreds of jobs, every waking hour, desperate to work. It was crushing.” But others said it was a “good idea” and “might encourage people to find work”.
