AIBU to be miffed about Chester Zoo?

You don't really get in anywhere for £1 if you just get DLA without the carer's element of UC (like us). I do tend to use the theatre discount because my disabled child loves theatre but can't always manage the whole way through and I would be really annoyed to have paid loads for it if we have to leave after 15 minutes.

A trip like the zoo or the theme park is not a exactly a weekly thing for most families is it? It's a special treat. Our salaries are fine but that's still a once or twice a year thing to a really big attraction like that (we don't go to theme parks anyway but in that ballpark).

I do think it's a very ugly trait to be jealous of other people 'getting' more than you. You should want to lift everyone up, not make others have a shitter time to make you feel better.

Exactly!

Bah - bloody - humbug. Scrooge wants his point of view back as it doesn't make you look very kind.

Just think about the children who will be able to go who may never have had the opportunity otherwise. Its a really nice thing.

I'm not saying anyone should begrudge those kids, I said it's good some are benefitting. The issue is there are plenty of families that don't qualify but can't begin to afford those experiences for their children. Some of them will be attending food banks due to the increased cost of living. All children deserve experiences and happiness but some of the frustration on this thread will be coming from an inability to provide things like that for your children all while struggling to feed them, keep a roof over their heads while being told it's ok for you, you don't qualify for benefits, you must be able to afford everything comfortably

Just to be slightly pedantic - He's actually technically not eligible if he receives contributions based ESA (which presumably he does with your income).

It's meant for income based ESA, although the websites tend not to be super clear on that (apart from London zoo who are) and admittedly it's highly unlikely a zoo worker would be able to tell the difference in an award letter on arrival.

The colleague is in lesser paid role but has £700 a month more than the op? Can you not see why people are getting fucked off?

I say that as someone who claims UC myself.

I hear you I think.

What you're saying is that it was a struggle to be able to afford to go, as it was just so expensive. Yet others get it for virtually nothing. It's that contrast in price - and therefore you feel it was possibly harder for you to go than for others.

This is the squeezed middle and I think it's normal to feel upset about this.

I also think those charity schemes are important for poorer families to be able to visit places. Unfortunately no scheme is perfect, and they can only run based on things that can be easily assessed, such as benefits eligibility.

The real problem is that wages just haven't kept up with inflation. It's the cost of living crisis. I hope you get to go again.

It seems so! The bare faced cheek.

Yes. As a member of the ‘squeezed middle’ as mentioned above, it’s yet another kick in the teeth. Don’t worry though, I’ll still be working for those two weeks whilst all those poor benefits claimants have a jolly 👍🏻

Each to their own. As a member of the 'squeezed middle' and a Chester member I hope as many people as possible take their kids and make the most of it.

Then again I tend to save my disgust for corrupt politicians and criminals rather than people who have the temerity to qualify for income based benefits, or disability benefits.

I partly agree with you OP.
My DH receives ESA which would make him eligible, although we don't claim universal credit as I'm on a six figure salary. Much as it's nice to have a discount, we (I) can afford full price tickets.
However there are plenty of people in a less fortunate position who this would benefit.
It's a quiet time of year for zoos, maybe this will bring more full price paying customers through their gates accompanying those eligible for the discount.
(Just to add, we live too far away to visit, so won't be taking advantage of the offer).

I know people in rented accommodation who CHOOSE to restrict their earnings to facilitate them being eligible for benefit support in the form of housing benefit and in work UC top up.
The system allows them to do it. They are not doing anything illegal.
They have an easier life and more money taking financial support in the form of benefits than working full time.

Yeah - how dare those kids from poor backgrounds think that they can have a trip out with their families for a discounted rate during two weeks of a 52 week year. Cheeky little fuckers! You’ve taught them.

True workers?

Yes! Why should they be expected to make their own way there?? How unreasonable!

Are you only a 'true worker' if you earn enough to not be eligible for UC, aren't disabled or don't have a disabled child?

Yes. As a member of the ‘squeezed middle’ as mentioned above, it’s yet another kick in the teeth. Don’t worry though, I’ll still be working for those two weeks whilst all those poor benefits claimants have a jolly 👍🏻

Heavens! Are you suggesting that free transport should also be laid on. We all have to get there!

Your loss, especially if you have children who enjoy going.

Would you like to borrow my youngest child who hasn’t been able to attend school for a year and a half due to illness@Stillinshock123 and get a nice cheap day out? I would love to be in a position where I had the luxury to complain about stuff like this. I don’t want to be one of the people who get concessions. It reminds me of how shit my life is.

Thanks so much, we’ve now booked a lovely near years break away! Wouldn’t have known, without your thread 😊

You've cancelled your membership because of a two week charity scheme?

Jesus Christ. Yes it must be fake. 👏

They’ve still got to get there which unless they live locally costs in petrol or bus/ train fares. I think it’s a fab idea for children who would otherwise miss out.

That doesn't work with the charity schemes though. The zoo will be making money either from a donation from the scheme involved, or from some sort of tax break, or similar. There will be a set criteria for them to work with to benefit from it.

Let's be brutal here - Chester Zoo are not doing this kind of thing out the goodness of their hearts because they care about disabled or people who are financially struggling. They're doing it because it gets people through the doors at a quiet time of year and people who are only going as a one off special thing will spend a bit of money when they are there - even just a few quid on a drink - that CZ wouldn't normally see.

Lowering the cost wouldn't work for them in the same way, and ultimately they'll be doing what makes them the most rather than thinking of the customers.

Membership cancelled on the back of this. We kept our membership going through Covid in order to support the zoo but this has really angered me. Yet again the true workers are shafted.