BBC's Naga Munchetty in furious clash with Labour minister: 'Not giving you a number'

took an awkward turn this morning as host clashed with minister Emma Reynolds. Reynolds was on the show via video link to discuss the latest economic news, with the UK economy growing by 0.7% in the first quarter in a rare win for Chancellor . But it wasn't all good news.

Naga kicked off the debate by saying: "The International Monetary Forecast, though, has cut its forecast for growth and reduced the forecast for growth this year in the UK to 1.1% from 1.6%. So not all bodies believe that the UK is growing as it should be." Reynolds responded: "I mean look, there are different projections - the OECD [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development] suggests that actually the UK is going to have very robust growth and one of the best performances in the G7-"

But she was cut off by Munchetty, who said: "Robust growth? I don't know those figures, sorry, what is robust?" Reynolds tried to explain: "Well, good growth and one of the highest growths in the G7, of course."

But that wasn't enough for Naga, who argued: "I'm sorry, could you tell me the number? Just to put it into context, because our audience will see that the economy grew 0.7% in the first quarter. What is robust, or good?"

Reynolds again evaded the question, saying: "Well, we'd like even higher growth, but I'm not going to give you a number, but what I will say is-" but was cut off again for Naga to say: "No, sorry, but you said that a body had said that we will have robust or good growth. I just wanted to know what that interpretation is."

She replied: "The OECD, which is an international organisation that also makes growth expectations, which is comparing to what you said about the IMF, I'm just saying that not all international bodies say the same thing. So the OECD have predicted that the UK will be one of the strongest performing economies next year, so I'm making that comparison."

Munchetty said: "Okay. I just wanted a number. Just so that our audience had a number to compare." Reynolds seemed confused as she responded: "Well, look, we would like to see higher growth, but I'm not going to give you a number to hang my hat on, because I don't think that's realistic."

Attempting to calm the situation, Naga replied: "No, sorry, I think we're at cross purposes. I just wanted to know what the OECD had said so that we could compare it to what the IMF had said, or to the number that our audience is seeing on screen, but you haven't got that, so that's absolutely fine."