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Kirstie Allsopp Rebukes Michael Rosen Over Free London Travel Pass

The back-and-forth revived a familiar UK argument over whether pensioner perks should be used by people seen as able to pay.

Overview

  • Michael Rosen posted on X that his Transport for London Freedom Pass was not working and that he could not obtain a replacement.
  • Kirstie Allsopp replied that taking free travel when it is not needed is wrong and said such concessions are "bankrupting our country."
  • Rosen responded that he uses other state services such as the NHS and state schools and asked which provisions are deemed acceptable to claim.
  • Allsopp argued that private healthcare and education cost far more than public transport, pressing Rosen on whether he needed the concession.
  • Reports cited TfL guidance stating the Freedom Pass is for London residents over 66 or with a disability, offering free travel across buses, trams and trains, with no policy change reported.