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?

Lucky them. There are many people who don’t receive income support who can only dream of affording such lovely trips for their families. They would appreciate it too.

And I stand by my opinion that many people who don’t receive a massive salary or income support are also struggling and not living a life of luxury. They struggle without recognition!

Omg you can't seriously still not get it...? I despair of the ignorance shown on this thread.

UC is an in work benefit propping up working families many of whom are single mothers left to bear the cost whilst the maintenance system lets non resident parents get away with paying nothing or not much. Many working families paying high childcare costs and high rents. I get a small amount of UC but live 2.5hrs drive away from chester zoo so the diesel cost would be unaffordable this time of year.

The Zoo clearly needs the customers at this time of year so that’s why they will be running the offer. People who can afford the zoo will prefer to go in better weather. The working poor and disabled may only be able to afford to go under this offer in very cold weather.

I am of the same opinion about you. I guess it would be a dull forum if everyone felt the same.

Tell you what, I'll trade you my son's disability for the cheap zoo tickets. Deal? Didn't think so.

Despicable.

A mortgage is only stable if you pay back your loan every month. If you don’t, your house will be repossessed by the bank. Lower-middle income families, receiving no benefits may well be struggling to pay their mortgages (hence no treats for their children).

There is a bigger picture of growing poverty out there. Recognise that it isn't just the traditional groups which need sympathy and support.

Oh for goodness sake. Use your brain. This isn’t about zoo tickets. It isn’t about your personal circumstances, with a disabled son. Try to see and appreciate a bigger picture out of your bubble. More people than YOU and YOURS are struggling. They also need help. They are receiving nothing. You too need to show some empathy in the same way you wish to receive it.

Indeed.

My parents who divorced years ago are both pensioners.

My Mum still has to work as is still paying off her mortgage and has no savings.

My Dad owns his house outright and has 100k savings.

My Dad receives the winter fuel allowance as his only income is state pension and a small amount from private pensions.

My Mum is not entitled as earns over the threshold because she HAS to work.

Being eligible for benefits used to be because you needed them, not because you are 'entitled' which many people are who are not struggling for money.

I agree that life can be hard for all people but the benefits system is set up for the section of society that the government considers needing protection. People with mortgages who are struggling have the option to downsize or move somewhere cheaper however unpalatable or difficult that would be. People renting on low salaries topped up by UC don’t really have this luxury. There are varying degrees of poverty and I feel for you if you are struggling.

Being eligible for benefits used to be because you needed them, not because you are 'entitled' which many people are who are not struggling for money

That makes no sense. If you apply for benefits and get them, you were clearly entitled to them. All the people I know on benefits would be struggling immensely if they were not on them. They are a lifeline.
I think a lot of people saying they get nothing and are struggling should apply and see if they get anything.

I have a PhD; I have a brain. You on you other hand... 😬

PS "this isn't about zoo tickets"... this is LITERALLY a thread about Chester zoo 😂 Genius you are.

fully agree, have a look at entitled to for the benefits calculator. You may get some childcare paid for.

Exactly. This is how the system works. Those in most need get through benefits. Some people are so ignorant.

Exactly. Glad someone on here has some sense!

That’s my point. The government need to reassess who they help and how. Rather than showering some groups with vast amounts of financial support, it would be fairer and better for society if this was shared more widely to cover the growing number of people who are struggling since the pandemic and cost of living crisis. The same applies to businesses, but they aren’t accountable. Of course, this would be very unpopular with those who are receiving generous amounts and don’t want to lose any of it because they feel they ‘deserve it more’.

(Moving house to downsize is also expensive. Doing a ‘flit’ might be beyond what people can afford.)

I work in a deprived area, many, many of the families don’t work. There are obviously complex reasons for this. People claiming UC because they earn under a certain threshold and are entitled isn’t really what I was referring to. It’s the people who don’t work out of choice. It’s the people like the Mum I mentioned, who wanted a letter of support that she couldn’t look for work because she had children and cooking/cleaning.
maybe in some areas the majority of people not working are SAHP with one parent earning well, but not in the area in which I work.

You seem to have willfully ignored the point I was making.

There are numerous people 'entitled' to benefits who do not 'need' them.

DLA and PIP aren't means tested for a start.

The then millionaire prime minister David Cameron claimed DLA for his disabled son.

Entitled to it, didn't need it.

Yes, I saw that, thanks. It’s great that this can benefit families like mine who have a disabled child. I wasn’t really against it, I was just thinking that I do get where OP is coming from to an extent.

Use it then. Perhaps it is worn out from all the hard work from your PHD.

And whilst it was, indeed, a thread about Chester Zoo, as often happens on Mumsnet, we have diverted into related topics of discussion. Did your university not encourage wider debate of issues?

The DLA was for David Cameron's son, not him. DLA/PIP is also a gateway to other help.

It gets so tiresome hearing people whine about poor people getting help. The reason people claim universal credit is due to the fact their income is very low. If you’re not entitled to claim it then your income is not very low. How hard is that to understand?

And to begrudge people help with their rent!?

Tell you what. Quit your jobs and get a job as a care worker, 12 hour shifts on minimum wage. Then adopt a disabled child or two. Then move into a private rented house that costs more than a mortgage, so you’ll never get on the property ladder and never have any assets or be able to retire until you’re 80.

Might be shit but at least you can get a cheap ticket for the bloody zoo.

I do know what you mean OP. I don’t begrudge it but for those saying that you can afford it, you probably can’t! We don’t receive benefits but we aren’t high earners so we sort of fall into the middle bit where a day out at £100+ for everyone before food, fuel etc is only really feasible once a year. It’s a tricky one because I want those kids to enjoy it but at the same time some of us in the middle get little help. I don’t know what the answer is.

And?

That still doesn't refute my post which you were trying to refute, that there is a welfare system where people are entitled to taxpayers money that they do not need.

If someone gets awarded benefits then it has been deemed by the government that they need them. That is a fact. It is your opinion that you think some people do not need it.
Someone claiming them is doing nothing wrong by claiming that money if they are entitled to it.