Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel annoyed about discounted attractions for benefit claimants?

696 replies

Sheldonsheher · 10/04/2026 10:01

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15721199/Benefit-claiming-families-UK-attractions-working-Brits.html

I know I’ll get slated as the origin is the daily fail but, but this kind of annoys me too! I mean as a single parent I don’t want to pay £60 to go to the zoo either.

Benefit-claiming families pay just £4 for top UK attractions

More than 80 attractions give discounts to benefit claimants, with MPs reacting furiously with one saying the system created a 'two-tier system that punishes work'.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15721199/Benefit-claiming-families-UK-attractions-working-Brits.html

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
youalright · 10/04/2026 21:52

PandoraSocks · 10/04/2026 21:29

Yes, it is odd that all these benefit cheats go around boasting to mumsnetters. If one was cynical one might think there is some fibbing going on. And not from the benefit cheats.

What you mean you don't give the random family down the street full access to your medical records and your bank accounts I thought this is what all of us on uc do

elliejjtiny · 10/04/2026 21:37

Hoppity80 · 10/04/2026 21:13

Not everyone is but some are.
My point is that if you know exactly how to work the system and absolutely not saying everyone on UC are doing this - you can bring in benefits and income very close or exceeding a couple on NMW.
As I said up thread - have 4-5 kids and preferably spread them out.
One or two with mild ASD or ADHD but able to attend mainstream school and hang out with friends. Claim DLA.
Claim support from partner who lives separately.
Work a very small amount - receive free childcare,
Live in heavily subsidised flat in the middle of a expensive city.

This absolutely isn’t everyone on UC but I have very much noticed this pattern among parents at my DC’s school. They do not work or if they work do so only a little.

Clearly if you or your child is severely disabled and you cannot work - you absolutely should be entitled to UC and more. And I don’t begrudge any kids getting the £1 tickets - I’m glad we live in a country where this happens.

However, pls some understanding for families working long hours for a similar income or less and getting zero help or extras and having to budget every penny. I am sure they would love to take their kids to these attractions too.

Children have to be severely disabled to get dla, just thought I'd point that out. I'm one of the fortunate ones as my dc are able to attend school but many can't. My dc school has gone above and beyond to enable my youngest to attend. They don't get anywhere near enough funding from the LA.

If I want them to do any after school activity I have to either stay with them (which does nothing for the older ones street cred, "luckily" the youngest is too disabled to care) or pay someone else to stay with them.

When they are too old for school, some of mine will be able to live independently with support but my youngest will forever need care, either from me, his brothers or from someone I will have to pay to do it.

PandoraSocks · 10/04/2026 21:29

MyLuckyHelper · 10/04/2026 21:18

Oh fab idea. Any idea how to guarantee a child with a disability? Don’t want to waste my time getting pregnant again if they’re not going to be worth it to me.

also why is it everyone on Mumsnet knows multiple people “playing” the system. And that all these acquaintances are freely disclosing their finances to anyone that will listen

Edited

Yes, it is odd that all these benefit cheats go around boasting to mumsnetters. If one was cynical one might think there is some fibbing going on. And not from the benefit cheats.

BIossomtoes · 10/04/2026 21:20

JustAnotherWhinger · 10/04/2026 20:11

It’s also been kicked off by Robert Jenrick.

the man who approved a housing development to benefit his pal, and benefactor, in an inappropriate way, and in a way that saved said benefactor paying £30 million to the council. He also allowed said benefactor to dodge their legal requirements for affordable housing.

Yet another vile man being allowed to stoke hate and encourage benefit bashing. And people are falling for it

You forgot his order to have children’s murals in an immigration centre painted over. He’s a miserable excuse for a human being who could suck the joy out of anything.

MyLuckyHelper · 10/04/2026 21:18

Hoppity80 · 10/04/2026 21:13

Not everyone is but some are.
My point is that if you know exactly how to work the system and absolutely not saying everyone on UC are doing this - you can bring in benefits and income very close or exceeding a couple on NMW.
As I said up thread - have 4-5 kids and preferably spread them out.
One or two with mild ASD or ADHD but able to attend mainstream school and hang out with friends. Claim DLA.
Claim support from partner who lives separately.
Work a very small amount - receive free childcare,
Live in heavily subsidised flat in the middle of a expensive city.

This absolutely isn’t everyone on UC but I have very much noticed this pattern among parents at my DC’s school. They do not work or if they work do so only a little.

Clearly if you or your child is severely disabled and you cannot work - you absolutely should be entitled to UC and more. And I don’t begrudge any kids getting the £1 tickets - I’m glad we live in a country where this happens.

However, pls some understanding for families working long hours for a similar income or less and getting zero help or extras and having to budget every penny. I am sure they would love to take their kids to these attractions too.

Oh fab idea. Any idea how to guarantee a child with a disability? Don’t want to waste my time getting pregnant again if they’re not going to be worth it to me.

also why is it everyone on Mumsnet knows multiple people “playing” the system. And that all these acquaintances are freely disclosing their finances to anyone that will listen

Hoppity80 · 10/04/2026 21:13

youalright · 10/04/2026 20:24

Of course many aren't getting more then working families absolutely ridiculous. Even on nmw a 2 parent family working full time take home 50k. How much do you think people actually get on uc

Not everyone is but some are.
My point is that if you know exactly how to work the system and absolutely not saying everyone on UC are doing this - you can bring in benefits and income very close or exceeding a couple on NMW.
As I said up thread - have 4-5 kids and preferably spread them out.
One or two with mild ASD or ADHD but able to attend mainstream school and hang out with friends. Claim DLA.
Claim support from partner who lives separately.
Work a very small amount - receive free childcare,
Live in heavily subsidised flat in the middle of a expensive city.

This absolutely isn’t everyone on UC but I have very much noticed this pattern among parents at my DC’s school. They do not work or if they work do so only a little.

Clearly if you or your child is severely disabled and you cannot work - you absolutely should be entitled to UC and more. And I don’t begrudge any kids getting the £1 tickets - I’m glad we live in a country where this happens.

However, pls some understanding for families working long hours for a similar income or less and getting zero help or extras and having to budget every penny. I am sure they would love to take their kids to these attractions too.

Arlanymor · 10/04/2026 21:11

MyLuckyHelper · 10/04/2026 21:04

I work full time and still receive UC every month. An amount I literally couldn’t live without. My children don’t need childcare luckily, if they did I’d be able to claim 85% of that too, so not sure what the relevance of no childcare is.

UC is not like legacy benefits, the more you earn the better off you are. If you choose not to work when you’re able, your benefits are capped at (what for me would be) an unliveable amount.

I understand not knowing things, especially if you have no first hand experience. What I don’t understand is being so loud and refusing to accept the facts, even when you’re being spoon fed them by people who do know. Why would you want to get het up about things you’ve misunderstood 🤷🏻‍♀️

Because 'poor me syndrome'. It drives me up the wall. The irony usually being that people in receipt of benefits never ever say 'poor me' - they say thank you.

MyLuckyHelper · 10/04/2026 21:04

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 10/04/2026 20:52

@MyLuckyHelper It’s a working part time benefit when you have dc who are old enough to not need much child care. It’s what loads of people do. What’s the incentive to do more when you get all the subsidies - even dc can get £2000 bursaries at university! It’s widely abused and some people doing it have professional qualifications but cannot be bothered to work in that field. I’ve seen this a lot.

I work full time and still receive UC every month. An amount I literally couldn’t live without. My children don’t need childcare luckily, if they did I’d be able to claim 85% of that too, so not sure what the relevance of no childcare is.

UC is not like legacy benefits, the more you earn the better off you are. If you choose not to work when you’re able, your benefits are capped at (what for me would be) an unliveable amount.

I understand not knowing things, especially if you have no first hand experience. What I don’t understand is being so loud and refusing to accept the facts, even when you’re being spoon fed them by people who do know. Why would you want to get het up about things you’ve misunderstood 🤷🏻‍♀️

converseandjeans · 10/04/2026 21:01

@Sheldonsheher

Also school activities and trips. Other parents have to subsidise the families again who are on benefits.
Where I live there are so many advertised free things like childcare , clubs , after school care, but only if you are on benefits so maybe after while it just feels like too much.

That’s not true about school trips - any subsidy comes from pupil premium funding, not other parents. I’ve organised a lot of school trips & have never used money from parents paying in full to subsidise other places.

I think the issue is that people on middle incomes will never get any help but likely can’t afford those sorts of days out on a regular basis. When mine were little & we were broke we rarely did days out, soft play, cafes. It was mostly free activities or the local toddler groups. People I knew who were not working would do more expensive things than us & also get free child care.

I am unsure we will be much better off in retirement as we will have to pay tax & those who haven’t worked will seemingly get tax credits. So all these years I have been making sure I pay my NI & now those who haven’t worked will just get top ups.

In school I would say it’s the kids with parents working on modest incomes who are the worst off. Often the ones getting UC have latest phone, decent clothes & get to go on trips. I have sorted out funding for trips & got their food paid for only to find out they’re off to Disney or Dubai the following week! I’m sure it’s not all, but I don’t think all of them need free days out.

Mmkesd · 10/04/2026 21:01

Also there's numerous attractions that are free for all. Free museums and art galleries.

DreamyJade · 10/04/2026 20:57

I’ve just checked London Zoo’s prices. Standard adult admission (online) is £31.00. The scheme was introduced in 2023. The same admission price in 2022 was £30.00 (adjusted for inflation that’s £34.50 in 2026). So it’s CHEAPER to get in now than it was before the scheme started.

JustAnotherWhinger · 10/04/2026 20:56

Sirzy · 10/04/2026 20:52

https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub/parenting/money-and-finance/our-top-pick-of-universal-credit-days-out-2026

anyway this seems a good point to post this again for anyone who was previously unaware of this and may benefit

Yes.

and do check regularly as more places are getting involved (now they realise how much places can make from participating)

JustAnotherWhinger · 10/04/2026 20:55

It keeps being said people can go to London zoo for £1 and it’s irritating as if you’re going to rant at least do it accurately. Some places are £1 on these schemes, London zoo isn’t £1

AIBU to feel annoyed about discounted attractions for benefit claimants?
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 10/04/2026 20:52

@MyLuckyHelper It’s a working part time benefit when you have dc who are old enough to not need much child care. It’s what loads of people do. What’s the incentive to do more when you get all the subsidies - even dc can get £2000 bursaries at university! It’s widely abused and some people doing it have professional qualifications but cannot be bothered to work in that field. I’ve seen this a lot.

sickofthissick · 10/04/2026 20:52

DreamyJade · 10/04/2026 20:42

You mean if there weren’t so many jealous, nasty bastards who can’t stand the thought of poor children receiving CHARITY, there wouldn’t be the threads.

It's sickening isn't it? There was even some nasty piece of work on the other thread wishing she had SEN children so she's get all this amazing free money and 'jollies'
I've been that person on <shudder> benefits in the past with a small child and it's absolutely no 'perk' at all.
Some people are beyond disgusting.

Sirzy · 10/04/2026 20:49

Sheldonsheher · 10/04/2026 20:48

Also school activities and trips. Other parents have to subsidise the families again who are on benefits.

Where I live there are so many advertised free things like childcare , clubs , after school care, but only if you are on benefits so maybe after while it just feels like too much.

Nope schools will get funding for children who are entitled to pupil premium. This money will be used by schools to help fund things and close the gaps between them and those more fortunate

Wolmando · 10/04/2026 20:49

It was the same with the pensioners when those on pension credits were getting more than people with pensions from working because they got the WFA and free TV licence and paid less council tax and lots of other perks. Reeves had to U turn on WFA in the end

dreamiesformolly · 10/04/2026 20:49

MyLuckyHelper · 10/04/2026 20:47

How are there people on this thread that are in jobs well paid enough that they don’t need any assistance from the state, but that can’t grasp the simple concept that UC is not an out of work benefit.

Because they don't know what they are talking about, and can't be bothered educating themselves.

Sirzy · 10/04/2026 20:48

Wolmando · 10/04/2026 20:39

If they didn't get so many perks, there wouldn't be the threads

Yes because being poor is such a perk!

Sheldonsheher · 10/04/2026 20:48

Also school activities and trips. Other parents have to subsidise the families again who are on benefits.

Where I live there are so many advertised free things like childcare , clubs , after school care, but only if you are on benefits so maybe after while it just feels like too much.

OP posts:
MyLuckyHelper · 10/04/2026 20:47

Midnights68 · 10/04/2026 20:41

I don’t have a problem with benefits claimants getting subsidised entry, but I do have a problem with attractions and services subsidising initiatives like this with increased costs for people who are paying full whack.

It’s similar with nurseries - the funded hours scheme is underfunded by the government, so the handful of people who actually pay for childcare have to be charged even more. And with care homes - the payers are charged more to subsidise the non-payers because the system for non-payers is underfunded by the government. So the payers are subsidising the state really.

Oh you’ll be thrilled there’s no evidence that costs have increased for anyone else to cover this then.

dreamiesformolly · 10/04/2026 20:47

Wolmando · 10/04/2026 20:39

If they didn't get so many perks, there wouldn't be the threads

'They'?? 🤔

MyLuckyHelper · 10/04/2026 20:47

Ljzjta · 10/04/2026 20:31

Completely get it! I work my arse off all year round with just 5 weeks annual leave and I cannot afford a £70 trip to the zoo or any other attraction weekly in the holidays. Yet if you don’t work, and sit on your arse all day, you get £1 tickets. Insane how people on benefits are treated like this.

How are there people on this thread that are in jobs well paid enough that they don’t need any assistance from the state, but that can’t grasp the simple concept that UC is not an out of work benefit.

DreamyJade · 10/04/2026 20:42

Wolmando · 10/04/2026 20:39

If they didn't get so many perks, there wouldn't be the threads

You mean if there weren’t so many jealous, nasty bastards who can’t stand the thought of poor children receiving CHARITY, there wouldn’t be the threads.

Swipe left for the next trending thread