Television presenter and property expert Kirstie Allsopp has never been one to shy away from expressing her opinions, and the past year has been no exception. From housing policy to parenting styles, her forthright views have frequently made headlines. Yet, in person, the 54-year-old is far from the combative figure one might expect—she's charming, witty, and disarmingly candid.
"I do not know what is controversial and what is not – it may look like I do, but I genuinely don't," Allsopp reflects, considering a year that saw her critique Labour's housing plans, dismiss the culture of working from home, and challenge the status quo on everything from AI to 'iPad kids'. Despite the fiery reputation, she is a warm and engaging interviewee, even offering a plate of pastries—a rare gesture in the world of journalism.
Taking Aim at Stamp Duty and the Property Market
Our conversation quickly turns to the UK property market, a subject close to her heart. Allsopp is currently on a crusade against what she terms the 'death' of the property market, pinning much of the blame on stamp duty, which she labels a 'sin tax'.
"When did we start making buying property a sin?" she asks, exasperated. "We have alcohol, we have cigarettes... and we have all these things where we pay these sin taxes. And it makes no sense. It's not bringing in any revenue because nobody is moving."
She argues that the revenue should instead come from VAT on household goods purchased for a new home. Her frustration extends to politicians, citing the case of Angela Rayner, who resigned as housing secretary after underpaying stamp duty on a flat by £40,000. "I've no beef with Angela Rayner trying to get away with it. Good on her. I've a problem with the fact that she did that while imposing these regulations on everybody else," Allsopp states.
Her proposed solution is a complete overhaul: a small tax on both buying and selling property, circumventing the first-time buyer discount. In a surprising twist, she also advocates for an increase in income tax, asserting, "We won't stop handing out more money than we can afford until everyone is paying more taxes."
Challenging Welfare and Generational Benefits
Allsopp's strong opinions are not confined to property. She expresses amazement at the move to an online-only system for Universal Credit, which removes the requirement for claimants to attend Job Centres.
"You can continue to get it every single week, with no one looking you up and down and seeing what you're up to," she says. "Some people, particularly young people, need to be challenged. If you are on unemployment benefit, you should be doing something."
This belief in personal responsibility spilled over into a public feud with children's author Michael Rosen. After he complained on X that his TFL Freedom Pass wasn't working, Allsopp responded bluntly, criticising the cost of the scheme for over-66s, which is projected to reach nearly £500 million by 2030.
"A writer so successful... thinks it is reasonable that he travels for free due to his age," she wrote. "People have to stop taking things they do not need, it is wrong and it is bankrupting our country."
On Parenting, ADHD, and a Joyous Wedding
Allsopp is equally vocal on parenting, decrying what she sees as a culture of risk-aversion. She found herself contacted by social services after tweeting about her then 15-year-old son, Oscar, going interrailing alone.
Defending her decision, she argues that children face more danger from their mobile phones than from independent travel. "When I was eight, I'd head out for the day with a honey sandwich... Off I'd go and try not to die, basically. How has it changed so much in a generation?"
She also questions the rising trend of ADHD diagnoses and associated disability payments. "The great fashion at the moment is ADHD," she muses. "I think there is a certain type of multiple observation I have that I don't want to label... I believe that neurodiversity is essential. We all have our own type of brains."
Amidst the controversy, 2025 has been a year of celebration. It marked the 25th anniversary of Location, Location, Location and, more personally, her marriage to long-term partner Ben Andersen in January. The wedding at Mayfair's Grosvenor Chapel was a low-key affair. "We didn't have a wedding list, we didn't invite people till the Monday and we got married on the Thursday," she recalls fondly. "It was really, really nice. I'm glad we did it."
As she prepares to return to screens with Kirstie's Handmade Christmas, it's clear that Kirstie Allsopp will continue to speak her mind, challenging conventions and sparking debate across the UK.
