TV Presenter and Author Clash Over Free Travel for Pensioners
Television personality Kirstie Allsopp has become involved in a heated public dispute with celebrated children's author Michael Rosen. The argument erupted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, concerning the use of the London Freedom Pass.
The clash began on Friday 14 November 2025, when the 79-year-old author of 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' posted about his Freedom Pass not working and his inability to get a replacement. Allsopp, the 54-year-old host of 'Location, Location, Location', directly responded to his post with a strong critique.
'Bankrupting Our Country': The Core of the Dispute
Kirstie Allsopp did not hold back, stating that a successful writer like Rosen should not be entitled to free travel based on his age. "People have to stop taking things they do not need, it is wrong and it is bankrupting our country," she declared.
In his reply, Michael Rosen pointed out that he also uses the NHS and that his children went to state schools, framing his Freedom Pass use as part of the social contract. Allsopp countered that this was "not the same" and insisted that accepting free travel was simply wrong, questioning whether he could not afford to pay his own way.
The debate intensified as Rosen challenged Allsopp's assumptions about his finances. "But you’ve explained that you know my income... so you must also know whether I could afford private health insurance and/or private education," he retorted.
Allsopp argued that private healthcare and education cost significantly more than public transport, making it a false equivalence. The Harrow-born author concluded the exchange by posing a broader philosophical question about state provisions, asking which ones are acceptable to use and which are not.
What is the London Freedom Pass?
According to Transport for London (TfL), the Freedom Pass is available to London residents who are either over the age of 66 or have a disability. The scheme provides significant travel benefits, including:
- Free travel on London's buses, trams, and train services, including the Underground.
- Discounts on river boat services and Santander Cycles.
- Free bus travel across the UK during off-peak weekday hours and all day on weekends and public holidays.
This public spat highlights the ongoing national conversation about the cost of benefits for older citizens and what constitutes a reasonable use of public funds.
