Martin Lewis apologises for 'terrible phrasing' on Money Show (2025)

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Martin Lewis has issued an apology which angered parents after a ‘terrible’ comment during a Money Show blunder.

The Money Saving Expert, 51, fronted his live ITV programme on Tuesday night where he discussed the Child Trust Fund – a long-term tax-free savings account for children born between 2002 and 2011.

During the explanation, Martin separated adopted children and non-adopted children, in some ‘terribly phrasing’.

He had said: ‘If you have adopted children or you have your own children and you’ve just forgotten about this…’

He’s now apologised for blunder, writing on X: ‘Just realised in the heat of live show I said “adoptive children or your children” – terrible phrasing, sorry. Adopted children are of course your children.’

The Good Morning Britain host went on: ‘Important tho to highlight many adopted children age 12 to 21’s parent may not know they have a Child Trust Fund poss worth £1,000. So do check on http://gov.uk to see if you can trace it (other parents who may’ve lost track of it can do the same too).’

Martin was showered in support after his apology, with one writing: ‘Thanks Martin, father of three adopted children and I wasn’t offended, but glad you are sensitive and give language consideration. Also one of mine is 12 so will check the trust fund tip out. Thank you!’

‘Words carry weight, thank you for being sensitive,’ another said.

A third penned: ‘It was a slip of the tongue, you are forgiven, until you mentioned it I don’t think anyone noticed.’

‘I have an adopted daughter and I’m not offended. Carry on good sir,’ someone else said, with another agreeing: ‘As a father to three adopted children, I wouldn’t be offended at all. The phrasing isn’t terrible, slightly clumsy at worst. Thanks for the apology though and all the excellent advice and carry on with the good work!’

Others had suggested they were offended by the wording, with one writing: ‘We adoptees sure notice this “slip”…’

On Tuesday’s ITV programme, Martin urged parents to check if they can claim £1,000 for their child that’s just ‘sat waiting for them’, as he explained how children aged 12 and 21 were automatically signed up to a Child Trust Fund at birth.

‘Any child born between 1 September 2002, so a 21-year-old, or 2 January 2011, so a 12-year-old, will have had aChild Trust Fundand the state will have added money even if you didn’t,’ he said.

‘Up to a million children have these accounts unknowingly and they’re worth on average around £1,000 each in a Child Trust Fund.’

We’ll take the tip as an early Christmas present!

The Martin Lewis Money Show airs Tuesdays at 8pm on ITV1.

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