Channel 4's property guru Kirstie Allsopp has ignited a firestorm of criticism after delivering a blistering take on the UK's housing crisis, telling struggling Brits to simply 'work harder' and stop complaining.
The Location, Location, Location presenter, 52, faced immediate fury after posting her controversial views on X (formerly Twitter), where she dismissed widespread concerns about the impossibility of getting on the property ladder for many young people.
The Comments That Sparked Outrage
Weighing in on the national debate, Allsopp wrote: "When I bought my first property there was no help for first time buyers, mortgage rates were 15% & I had to work 3 jobs. I don't remember anyone helping me. I don't remember moaning. I remember working. Try it."
The remarks were quickly branded as 'out of touch' and 'privileged' by hundreds of social media users who were quick to highlight the vast differences between the property market of decades past and today's crippling economic reality.
Why Critics Say She's Missing the Point
Users were swift to dismantle Allsopp's argument, pointing to one crucial factor she seemingly ignored: the astronomical rise in house prices relative to average wages.
One user bluntly stated: "The average house price when you bought your first home was £60,000 Kirstie. It's now £290,000. Wages haven't increased 5x. That's the point you're deliberately missing."
Another added: "Working 3 jobs to pay a mortgage on a £60k house is a world away from working 3 jobs to save a £40k deposit on a £300k starter home. The maths isn't mathing, Kirstie."
A History of Controversial Opinions
This isn't the first time the TV presenter has found herself at the centre of a political storm regarding property. Allsopp has previously:
- Suggested young people should skip university to save for a deposit
- Claimed the Help to Buy scheme was unnecessary
- Been criticised for her privileged background and financial advantages
Many critics noted that Allsopp's perspective fails to account for her own considerable head start in life, having been born into wealth and privilege as the daughter of a peer.
The backlash continues to grow online, with many calling her comments a profound misreading of the modern economic challenges facing an entire generation of prospective homeowners.
