Kirsty Allsopp has berated Michael Rosen.

No doubt he's paid enough into the coffers to be entitled to use his Freedom Pass.

Gin

Allira you are missing the point. I am not suggesting that the benefits stop but those who do not need them should not claim them

I'm not missing any point.

Thank you.

Doodledog

Who decides at what point people can 'afford to pay'? At what stage will it become pointless to pay into an occupational pension as someone else has decided that doing so means that you are denied so many things others get free that there is no point?

As easybee points out, at 79 MR is past the age where it is suggested people are becoming unsafe to drive. Doesn't it make sense to encourage older drivers to use public transport? I think that public transport should be free or subsidised for everyone, to cut down on the number of cars on the road, but that is a separate argument.

Also, Kirsty Allsop's father is a baron, and she is an Honorable - if titles aren't a perfect example of things people take that they don't need (and haven't even earned) I don't know what is. I wonder how much of her inheritance will come from her father taking his £300 a time for turning up at the HOL? Does he 'need' that money?

Well said!

Well said!

Sigh.

Hereditary peers have not sat in the House of Lords for over 25 years, unless elected..
Baron Hindlip is dead.

I give up.

Allira

^I heard on Radio 4 this morning that pensioners are the biggest cost to the treasury. That includes SRP and non contributory benefits like WFP and Attendance Allowance.^

So what do you suggest should happen to us?
Should there be a cut-off point?
Your three score years and ten?

Logan’s Run would sort all us skivers out, Allira.

I’m a big fan of the senior pass, and would like to see all of us who can use it, do so (appreciating of course that some can’t by reason of poor mobility or lousy bus services). They take cars off the roads, which can only be a good thing, get folks exercising and socialising a bit more instead of being stuck in their little bubbles, and actually generate more to the economy than is spent on them. This report’s an old one, but I’m sure all the points will still apply.

greener-vision.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Concessionary-travel-costs-and-benefits-September-2014.pdf

Graso

Doodledog

Who decides at what point people can 'afford to pay'? At what stage will it become pointless to pay into an occupational pension as someone else has decided that doing so means that you are denied so many things others get free that there is no point?

As easybee points out, at 79 MR is past the age where it is suggested people are becoming unsafe to drive. Doesn't it make sense to encourage older drivers to use public transport? I think that public transport should be free or subsidised for everyone, to cut down on the number of cars on the road, but that is a separate argument.

Also, Kirsty Allsop's father is a baron, and she is an Honorable - if titles aren't a perfect example of things people take that they don't need (and haven't even earned) I don't know what is. I wonder how much of her inheritance will come from her father taking his £300 a time for turning up at the HOL? Does he 'need' that money?

Well said!

KirstIE Allsopp's father is DEAD
When he sat in the House of Lords there was no £300 attendance payment.
There was an expense allowance of around £60. Whether he claimed this I have no idea but it would have covered expenses, not anyone's future inheritance.

I think he's a lovely man and that KA should direct her attention to really rich people and those who can afford to never travel on public transport. I think the pass encourages older people to get out and about and that must surely be good for their health - and consequently for the NHS.

How does she know that MR is rich anyway? I'd guess she is a lot better off than him.

I tend to agree with her; the cost comes out of the London council tax budget, and many using them are still working.

FranP

I tend to agree with her; the cost comes out of the London council tax budget, and many using them are still working.

So still contributing to the tax budget.
The receding retirement age means you should make the most of any benefits whilst you’re still alive to enjoy them.

He nearly died from Covid, so perhaps he us unable to walk about as much as before.
And why was it any of her business?

silly, bumptious woman, never liked her or her pointless programmes, little miss nobody

I wonder if she accosts other elderly bus pass users who have a less high profile? That wouldn't surprise me. She's always struck me as a bully.

And why was it any of her business?

As a theoretical discussion, perhaps it would be fine.
Making it personal is wrong.

However, there were many posts on here criticising those who didn't need the WFA but still accepted it.

Allsopp made it personal and public.

nanaK54

In my humble opinion Michael Rosen is a national treasure, Kirsty Allsop not so much

Yes, yes! A hundred times yes!
I have turn my TV over when Madam Allsop appears on the screen. She's so ridiculously pretentious, her hee-haw voice grates in my earholes. Furthermore, her face & her demeanour send me running for the remote control ! At least Phil Spencer seems less rarified.

Aveline

Allsopp made it personal and public.

Kirstie Allsopp responded to a public post by Michael Rosen, she "didn't make it public". Michael Rosen pulled her up -publicly- about making an assumption about his wealth. He actually agreed -publicly- that there is probably a discussion to be had about the funding of age related benefits.

This short reposte has caused thousands of folk who haven't even read the conversation between them, mainly berating Kirstie Allsop. "Fat, bully, stupid, bumptious etc etc" oh - and a poster on here dragging her father into it, not knowing he's dead! Michael Rosen has asked people to only comment kindly.
Says more about the posters than Kirstie Allsopp.

Such a cheap thing to say

Apologies - Michael Rosen didn't ask people to comment kindly, he wrote "please, please don't be abusive".

Maggiemaybe

Allira

I heard on Radio 4 this morning that pensioners are the biggest cost to the treasury. That includes SRP and non contributory benefits like WFP and Attendance Allowance.

So what do you suggest should happen to us?
Should there be a cut-off point?
Your three score years and ten?

Logan’s Run would sort all us skivers out, Allira.

I’m a big fan of the senior pass, and would like to see all of us who can use it, do so (appreciating of course that some can’t by reason of poor mobility or lousy bus services). They take cars off the roads, which can only be a good thing, get folks exercising and socialising a bit more instead of being stuck in their little bubbles, and actually generate more to the economy than is spent on them. This report’s an old one, but I’m sure all the points will still apply.

greener-vision.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Concessionary-travel-costs-and-benefits-September-2014.pdf

Maggiemaybe
Well, we're such a drain on society with our pensions, WFA, bus passes, veterans' discount cards etc.
Good thing the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill passed its Second Reading.

I'm just trying to work out how to get to the Garden Centre on the bus 🤔 and back with a bag of manure.

I think if I was Rosen, I would totally ignore the comments. Not sure they are worth the energy of discussion.

Whitewavemark2

I think if I was Rosen, I would totally ignore the comments. Not sure they are worth the energy of discussion.

He's not known for sitting on his hands, doesn't tend to ignore comments, he's a very prolific (and serious) commentator on various forms of social media. Openly enjoys the interaction. He was quite grateful she'd highlighted the Michael Rosen Day.
The vitriol against Kirstie Allsopp is not coming from Michael Rosen.

I bet she's sorry now.

If it wasn’t for bus passes our city centre would be empty given the extortionate parking charges.

Ilovecheese

I bet she's sorry now.

Storm in a teacup, she and Michael have moved on to more important topics.

I like my bus pass, so convenient. I would happily pay something for it, say something might cover admin costs for example.

In my town blue badges don't get you free parking in council car parks but if you are local and have a blue badge you can pay £40 to use the car parks for free, it is valid for 12 months, it is supposed to cover costs of running the scheme. We buy one every year, we probably don't save much if anything but again so convenient.