To think: if you can fly first class, you shouldn't have a council house?

[Mexxo]

Facebook friends of mine (friends of RL friends really) making lots of comments this week about their impending holiday to Mauritius on which they'll be flying first class and staying in a 5 star hotel.

This couple have lived in a council house for many years (no kids yet), though this year so far she has got a new (not brand new, a year or two old but still v nice) BMW and he has a new Ducati.

One of their friends has commented on FB "Wow, did you win the lottery?!" and the wife replied "no we just saved a long time for our dream holiday".

First class flights to Mauritius are £4k each. A week in a 5 star hotel must be at least £2k and probably more. That's £10k for a week's holiday. AIBU to think that if people can squirrel away that much money for a holiday, they shouldn't be living in a bloody council house subsidised by taxes from the rest of us?

Yes that did it at the same time as relaxing rules on extensions etc. Is a shame.

They not that...

I can't quite believe I've just done this but a. I'm on my lunch break and b. I spend a lot of time costing travel so was curious. Less than 10 minutes on google I can get you business class flights to Mauritius and a five star hotel for a week, for two people at £5k. OP - when you're going to be U about the business of other people, at least do your homework.

Toast really?? Care to link as friend's looking for a honeymoon and struggling to get anything in budget at the moment.

If councils are keeping rents down but cuts are being made elsewhere to save money. Councils do not just pay for housing they have other costs for the whole community. I am not suggesting that social housing should cost the same as private but in many areas it is very low money has to come from somewhere. But it is catch 22 higher rents more hb brimg g paid out from once again a council budget

Toastwithatwist Ta, but First Class is not Business Class.

OBFace - sorry, have closed down links now but flights were with Air Mauritius, Hotels.com offered the hotel stay. I gave dates of 27th Sept - 4th Oct.

Skyscanner.net is a good site for checking flights costs, Hotels.com or booking.com also excellent site for accommodation. Paying upfront for accommodation often reduces the cost, although you would probably want to insure the trip in case of cancellation then! Another good tip is to look at business market hotels - the weekend rates can be massively lower than during the week, they often have good deals on in-house gyms etc and can be really well located if you're not after a beach hotel (so if you go to Singapore, or Hong Kong or somewhere like that).

Where do they want to go, I'll flex my logistical fingers if you like!

OneMoreChap - depending on airline, business class can be nicer than first class. Also, some airlines (Air Mauritius included) don't have a name first class - they have economy, premium economy and business class (for example).

Thanks Toast will pass info on!

First class, first website I looked at:
www.skyclub.com/first-class/

From £2495. So, a lot of money. But not £4k each. £2.5k each. Second website I looked at was from £2100. Third was from £2k

Not that this is the point of course. I still feel the OP is BU, even if the travellers are paying £4k each. I

Facebook friends of mine

This couple have lived in a council house for many years , though so far they have got a new baby (and a year or two old but still v nice)

One of their friends has commented on FB "Wow, did you win the lottery?!" and the wife replied "no we just saved a long time for our dream family".

A baby can cost as much as £7K in the first year. A two year old must be at least £3k and probably more. That's £10k for a year's worth of family. AIBU to think that if people can squirrel away that much money for a family, they shouldn't be living in a bloody council house subsidised by taxes from the rest of us?

7k for a baby

*sixlostmonkeys", OP here. I did not say that the people involved should be "ashamed" and nor did I say that they should only spend money on children.

'National Shocker - council house couple use their life savings to go on dream first class holiday while horrible bosses make private renters/home owners travel ecconomy class!'

ah diddums

Of course they shouldnt be living in a council house unless they are starving and destitute. fgs.

Toastwithatwist t I doubt you have looked for flights on the dates when they're going, and I haven't identified the particular hotel, which features in Condé Nast Traveller etc and cannot be done for less than £2k (and that is in rainy season rather than the more expensive period when they are actually going.

VinegarTits -

the words - nail head hit on

Someone said earlier that David Cameron could get on the housing list - doesn't mean he should.

I think if you have a household income of more than 50 or 60k they should be asking them to look elsewhere

And not judge the situation on a holiday

Wow. Just wow. What the actual fuck is the point of council housing if it is not for people in need? And why should people slave away for years in private rentals to save up for deposits on places when they could pay half the rent on subsidised places and cruise around the world on holidays? No wonder the country has no money!

You have dedicated a lot of time into researching 'their' holiday haven't you mexxo?

Vinegartits (nice name!), you'll be thrilled to know that in the end I am going business class. But then, that's only appropriate as (a) it's firm policy and (b) it's a business trip paid for by my employer and not with money I could and should be spending on rent.

I think there should be means testing for council accommodation. So you have a number of very well off people living in subsidised housing. And others struggling to make ends meet and on waiting lists for years. Some system!!