Fair enough ATC querying the setting, and warning of a step climb, I have no problem with ATC doing that.
OTOH if UK ATC start issuing reprimands when you're set up to be fully compliant with the SID/STAR restrictions using company/Boeing/Airbus etc approved procedures then that IMHO warrants an MOR to the authority, on the grounds of distraction, unwarranted interference with safe operation, blah, blah...this may well be a case where too much information at the controllers end is actually a dangerous and distracting thing