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Former Merseyside MP Esther McVey has sparked anger today for seeming to blame families on the bread line prioritising computers and mobile phones over food.

The controversial ex-Work and Pensions secretary is widely disliked by many in the region, having been seen as the face of Tory benefit policies like the Bedroom Tax, and more recently Universal Credit.

Both have both been blamed for pushing people into poverty right across Merseyside and the rise in the use of food banks.

In an interview in today's Times, the ex-Wirral West politician referenced the proliferation of food banks, and said: “When I was growing up my parents put money into food, utility bills and the mortgage.

"Now people feel to be connected they’ve got to have an iPad and a phone that will help them with education and jobs.”

The comments from Ms McVey, who some people are tipping to take a run at Theresa May's top job if she decides to step down, were roundly condemned this morning.

Esther McVey's controversial speech on foodbanks

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Andy Heaton, presenter at the Anfield Wrap, was quick to slam the former Belvedere Academy pupil, and said: "I do wonder if Esther McVey is aware when she is scolding the most vulnerable for not surviving exclusively on gruel and water that the only way to apply for universal credit is to have access to the internet?

"Dense or disingenuous?

"Makes me sick that she was born in Liverpool."

Another on Twitter responded: "I presume when she was growing up her parents invested in a car, a telephone and even shoes to help them access education and jobs.

"How lavish and downright crass of them!"

(Image: Mirror Screen Grab)

One said: "Unfortunately, everyone needs a phone to avoid being sanctioned and access to the internet to use the benefit system.... conveniently forgets this doesn’t she?

"She’s a self interested self promoting disgrace."

Ryan Forde-Kelly said: "Depressing that this “pull yourself up, by your own bootstraps” rhetoric still persists from these people.

"Some people haven’t got boots and those who manage to navigate poverty, have had luck that other hard working people haven’t along the way.

"I’m alright Jack culture, it is."

The King of Mice, on Twitter, said: "If they aren’t connected they get their Universal Credit sanctioned for missing something that’s been lashed in their journal!

"Maybe they could go the library to use the computers...ah sh**te, they’ve closed them too."

In the broadsheet interview, McVey, who believes she has a "fair shot" at becoming Prime Minister and would consider running in a leadership contest, revealed she voted for Theresa May's withdrawal agreement.

The businesswoman, who previously worked in the media presenting and producing programmes such as GMTV, said: “I still believe it’s a bad deal, I have never changed on that.”

But with MPs pushing for a softer Brexit, or even no Brexit, she added: "You think - what can I salvage?... At least you can say we are out.”

McVey, who lost her Wirral seat in the 2015 general election in a closely-fought contest with ex-English teacher Margaret Greenwood, said in today's interview that whenever she walked into No 10 for cabinet meetings, she would think she was there to represent the most “vulnerable” people in the country.

“You’ve got to be for all parts of the country and for everybody.”

Did you have to choose between food and a phone? Tell us about your experience by messaging us on Twitter @LivEchonews or on Facebook .