AIBU to be miffed about Chester Zoo?

[Stillinshock123]

I need a space to rant but then I welcome feedback and general common-sense.

Chester zoo have posted about £1 deal for those on benefits such as UC, DLA and PIP.

Now, I understand that for some this may be the only opportunity to attend the Zoo given their already ridiculously high prices.

However AIBU to be upset that yet again working families (full time not claiming parts of UC) don’t seem to benefit from much?

We attend the zoo only once a year because of how expensive it is.. so that’s a luxury. So no thanks, no support or discounts.

I emailed them about this, and they replied saying that it’s part of a charity scheme to give back to families who otherwise can’t afford it. But then.. why shouldn’t it be first come first serve?

Oh good. I will let my daughter know

Do you actually want to post the link op because I’ve looked through the site and can’t see a damn thing about tickets being £1 for people on PIP, UC etc?

I can’t quite decide what’s worse - your math’s skills or your grammar

What incentive does it give to children to grow up and achieve if you can have qhat you like without a good job?

https://tickets.chesterzoo.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=uct&c=uct&_gl=11oapc28_gcl_au*MTc5MTE4MDAwLjE3NjYwMzkwNzg. X

How is one day out at the zoo the same as having "what you like"?

You do get a higher work allowance and get to keep more of your wage but I do think you should get help for mortgage if on a very low income.

Math’s?

But this is just one example of a discount received by those on benefits. At some point we have to be realistic and state that the people who are really struggling right now are those whose families earn just enough not to qualify for universal credit and who receive no help, either from the state or other businesses. They are the ones who don’t get treats as their parents are concentrating on providing basics. Those above them still have enough spare cash and those below them (salary wise) are given lots of support. Yes, there has to be a line but right now, it’s the lower middle income families who are struggling the most. You might not see that if your wages are higher and you might not appreciate what you get if your wages are lower and topped up by the state, with extra discounts thrown in.

I don’t want to take things away from those who receive help but I am surprised you can’t sympathise with how many families will be feeling right now. It is an issue that needs addressing as sneering at those feeling aggrieved will only make resentment worse.

But this is just one example of a discount received by those on benefits. At some point we have to be realistic and state that the people who are really struggling right now are those whose families earn just enough not to qualify for universal credit and who receive no help, either from the state or other businesses. They are the ones who don’t get treats as their parents are concentrating on providing basics. Those above them still have enough spare cash and those below them (salary wise) are given lots of support. Yes, there has to be a line but right now, it’s the lower middle income families who are struggling the most. You might not see that if your wages are higher and you might not appreciate what you get if your wages are lower and topped up by the state, with extra discounts thrown in.

I don’t want to take things away from those who receive help but I am surprised you can’t sympathise with how many families will be feeling right now. It is an issue that needs addressing as sneering at those feeling aggrieved will only make resentment worse.

So what has PIP and DLA got to do with the offer? The link you posted if just for people on universal credit.

It is for those who are eligible for PIP and DLA too.

So recipients of DLA and PIP aren't eligible then, as you stated in your first post (which did surprise me since DLA and PIP aren't means-tested).

Where does it say that? It only mentions UC, which makes sense as UC is means,-tested whereas DLA and PIP aren't.

I understand the issues with lack of accessibility for disabled people and sympathise. I think the financial disadvantages of being a lower middle income family are a different issue and are being downplayed in this scenario.

There's plenty of financial disadvantages of having a disabled child or being disabled yourself too.

Universal Credit Zoo Tickets | Chester Zoo

Of course and I imagine that everyone understands this. But there are many families receiving help who don’t have disabled family members. I think they are with whom comparisons are being made.

You've clearly never seen a DLA/PIP thread if you think everyone understands.

I’m sorry. I couldn’t imagine anyone begrudging a disabled family extra help to make life bearable and even fun. Taking this group out of the equation, however, I can see problems when offers and discounts are given to some families (who already receive benefits) and not others (who don’t) when the financial gap between them is so small and there are no other variables involved. Obviously there is always a line, but it is not easy for those who are just on the wrong (right?) side of it.

No its not.

A figure of speech is obvious exaggeration that has common use like saying 'I literally couldn't eat another thing or I would explode' in which case the common misuse slang use of the word 'literally' to offset the hyperbole of 'I would explode' is a figure of speech.

What you did was make up a false statistic to incite hate... nothing in that is a 'figure of speech' it was just dangerous deception commonly used to incite rage.

A figure of speech does not just 'make something up' its a play on language using hyperbole, anthropomorphism, metaphors, oxymorons etc...

I assume you will argue its Hyperbole as you back peddle but its not. In an 'out of 10' statement anything up to and including 10 is not 'exaggerated' unless its a complete impossibility.

If you said 'we all know 122% of people claim UC' you could maybe claim Hyperbole as its a nonsense amount. If you claimed '8 out of 10 pigs give birth baby elephants' its Hyperbole because its impossible. However '8 out of 10 people claim PIP' is nothing more than a deliberately misleading statement.

It's always been that if you work and don't claim anything you never get anything.
I've never been given anything and worked all my life . Only thing I get on MN are people moaning about boomers who have worked hard and never got anything , but are begrudge thier pension which they had paid for.

We are in receipt of DLA for my autistic daughter. We could happily plan a zoo day, buy tickets, get just through the gates and then a loud noise or too many people would set her off and we'd need to leave. The zoo is tricky as there are lots of exhibits she won't/can't access due to her issues so we cannot get the full benefit of the attraction. This happens so often that I am very wary to buy expensive tickets for things. We did see the lights at Chester Zoo over Xmas and got reduced price carer ticket. We repeatedly had to promise her that we'd leave if it was too noisy or she didn't like it. She enjoyed the first bit and then it was too much and we rushed through and left. Altogether we were there 30 minutes and half of that was only because it took us that long to get back to the entrance. We try to book autistic friendly slots but these are often hugely oversubscribed and sold out.

I am sure there are equivalent / more complex issues for those with physical disabilities. Making these attractions cheaper for those with disabilities reflects not only their ability to pay entry charge but also the value they may be able to get from an attraction that isn't set up for them to access easily.

I can't comment on the UC piece except to add that I doubt there are 1000s of these cheap tickets and I can't bring myself to resent someone struggling the opportunity to get a cheaper ticket to take their kid out for the day.

Does your income mean you earn more than those just ‘over’ the line? It is easy not to resent someone else getting freebies if you can easily afford it. Less so if you can’t and have to watch others having fun.

Some of you are very saintly but many people aren’t and are feeling let down and excluded. This is bad for society as certain politicians will capitalise on it. Feelings need to be recognised and not shouted down.

Where does it say that? It only mentions UC, which makes sense as UC is means,-tested whereas DLA and PIP aren't.

They've just called it UC tickets - there's actually a few qualifying benefits. In the eligibility list this offer has DLA and PIP as well as the means tested benefits.

There must be a specific funding/criteria for the offer as not all the zoo/attraction UC ticket offers cover DLA and PIP.