tkd ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
saying :

What happened to parents paying their childrens' way, then? Or, in
teenagers' cases, a paper round or Saturday job?

Not everyone in London is middle class. By providing the travel
concession as a universal benefit, children from disadvantaged
backgrounds get to travel free without the stigma of receiving a
targeted or means tested benefit. There are other positive
externalities to getting young people used to using public transport on
a regular basis which include the environmental impact.

Is the concept of getting a job to pay your own way a uniquely
"middle class" one, then?

No, it is uniquely middle class to begrudge people who are less
fortunate any assistance in bettering their situation.

Who's begrudging anybody anything?