British television presenter Kirstie Allsopp has sparked a controversial debate after revealing she flies in a different class to her children when travelling.

The Location, Location, Location presenter told the Sun newspaper that on occasions she and her partner do not sit with their children, who are 10 and 12.

Allsopp said it is an absurd waste of money to spoil children with premium seats.

“When we fly as a family, the boys do fly separately from Ben [Anderson] and me if we’re not in economy together,” Allsopp said.

“Obviously this wasn’t the case when they were little, but now they are big enough to sit separately, they do.”

The star has continued to defend how her family travels on social media, saying people parent differently.

People parent differently, I think letting 10 year olds have social media accounts is far more risky than anything that could happen on a plane, and the biggest dangers come from adolescent mental health issues. #horsesforcourses

— Kirstie Allsopp (@KirstieMAllsopp) June 4, 2018

“We take a shed load of holidays and if they flew with me in premium economy or club we’d be taking fewer holidays, less is more,” Allsopp said.

“I’m not in bloody first class, half the time I’m with the kids, and the rest of the time in premium economy, about four rows in front.

“My kids aged 9 and 11 are quite capable of looking after themselves, and so they should be at this age, it would be pathetic if they weren’t.”

The frank admission has sparked thousands of people on Twitter to join the debate on whether Allsopp is cruel or kind.

When I was 8 and my Brother 7, we flew from the UK to Bermuda as unaccompanied minors, only the 2nd time we’d ever flown, it was fantastic, we loved every moment, thrilled by the thought of the Bermuda Triangle.

— Kirstie Allsopp (@KirstieMAllsopp) June 4, 2018

I’m sorry @KirstieMAllsopp if #economy is good enough for my kids it’s good enough for me! I’d never expect my child to have less than me, there are ways of treating kids to nice things and teaching them appreciation- not treat them like they are lower worth than you!!

— samantha mitchell (@cleopatra2k) June 4, 2018

Sorry to be on such a rant roll. But parents who duck their responsibilities while casually letting strangers pick up the slack make me sick. At the very least bring a child minder along. @KirstieMAllsopp

— Ruth KvarnströmJones (@RuthKjWriter) June 4, 2018

If I could have ditched my two and flown in business class without them, I would have done! They aren’t on a different plane, so I hardly feel the word neglect being waved around in respect to Kirstie Allsopp declaring she leaves the kids in economy is justified!

— Claire 💙 (@clairemacckyd) June 4, 2018

@KirstieMAllsopp I travelled loads sitting independently from my parents onboard planes & trains. As 3 brothers this was the ultimate adventure and freedom! Don't listen to the doom mongers – I'm sure your sons were perfectly polite and looked after themeselves terrifically 😁✈

— Craig. (@craigyboi) June 4, 2018

-ABC