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?

I would be interested to know too.

They are just following Labour's lead. Rinse the workers to pay for the benefits class.

Kindly OP, I work with some very deprived children in the local area, who now have the opportunity to go. It will be their first time.
If yours have been able to go annually, just be grateful that you’ve been able to give them that opportunity.

Fingers crossed! We'll make the best of it anyway.

It’s not just about the zoo tickets. It’s about a country that has over focused on one group whilst allowing another group to become even more financially disadvantaged. I get that it is worrying for those who have always received help to consider that they may need to accept less so more people can receive a little, but it is something that needs considering.

Accept less? It is a £1 ticket. It is charity funded, so you are not paying towards it or subsidising anyone.

That isn't what charity is though. Charity is for a minority who are considered more in need, not for everyone.

I received a £100 Christmas grant from a local charity due to my circumstances. Should people resent that too? Should the charity offer it to everyone?

What a charming idea. There is nothing I would like to do more than share my personal financial details with some strangers on the internet, PhDs, financial consultants and all.

Do you really struggle with the idea that a whole new group of people are struggling financially in the current climate and that they may have already made many, many cuts and savings? Are you really so selfish you think only those who already receive Universal Credit need (more) help.

It’s not about the zoo tickets. Please try to see a perspective out of your bubbles and try to understand the growing resentment. It will be another Brexit moment if you don’t and there are some parties which would love to slash benefits. Considering the issues now might be a massive help in the long term.

The £1/£3 ticket scheme has been running in multiple zoos and other venues for considerably longer than the current government has been in place.

London Zoo, for example, was doing it in early 2023.

Absolutely nothing to do with "following Labour's lead"

That is what I suspected you would do. I bet you are actually pretty well off. The previous poster was offering you some help if you need it.

As with Chester Zoo, the charity can offer what they like. I can’t give my personal opinion as I don’t know what your circumstances are. If I did, I would give you my honest opinion, seeing as you asked for it.

The government, on the other hand, should be looking out for all those in the country who are struggling so that the system is fairer. Those in low middle incomes are increasingly unable to provide more than the basics for THEIR families and receive no help. The parameters need adjusting, which might mean some receive less but more receive some.

So you believe that more people should receive UC? Wouldn't that just move the issue to those who just miss out receiving it? Someone is always going to just miss out receiving it.

Well I know it was not OPs intention but I would like to thank her as we had a nice afternoon at a rainy zoo with £1 PIP tickets.
Took my 2 teens and admittedly saw more grass than animals (many were snuggled up warm away from the rain and visitors) but it was really nice to get out and do something different and not worry about the financial roll back for doing so.

I’m minted. Luckily, I try to see things from a different perspective out of my own, very wealthy background. I usually do this between my massive shopping spree at Fortnums and before I jet off to Canada for my winter break.

Do you really not understand that people who aren’t claiming Universal Credit might be struggling and not frittering away their money?

Sounds lovely. Wouldn’t it be nice for the OPs children to have chance to go too? It’s a shame it’s too expensive for her family to enjoy it.

They already go.

Yes. It needs moving as the cost of living crisis means more people are unable to live a decent life. A few years ago, it wasn’t an issue as most people who worked had some disposable income after essentials. The government needs to find a point where those who aren’t claiming benefits still have enough money to have a few luxuries - a visit to the hairdresser, a visit to the zoo, a new jumper, whatever. That imaginary line has risen.

They go once a year.

Which is more than my child goes (first time will be Xmas eve thanks to this offer).

I am sure that many of those taking advantage of the £1 ticket have also been. I still like the idea of £10 tickets for all but that’s up to the zoo.

That is just an assumption you are making. So what if they already have been.
This offer is only for 2 weeks over xmas. Most people (my own assumption) would be preparing for xmas, visiting family etc now, not going to zoos, especially in this weather where you would not see many animals anyway as they would be taking shelter from the rain.
It is getting people through the door though during a period when hardly anyone is going, and they will be probably be buying food/drinks anyway.

The UC tickets are also limited. There are only so many. And anyone can go this month and get free tickets for a month spanning Jan and Feb, so it is not like there are not other deals on.

I still like the idea of £10 tickets for all but that’s up to the zoo.

The zoo won't be able to access funding, grants and the likes if they just cut their prices.

Places don't do these community access schemes out of the goodness of their hearts - they do it because there are incentives (part of their charity status, part of funding, access to grants etc).

It is, but that has nothing to do with those people able to take up the offer available. Even when that offer expires, the OP situation remains unchanged.

I get it OP, theres discounted tickets, then theres this, these tickets are almost completely free. Thats the rub.

Its how i feel about free gym subs, free dentistry, free prescriptions. Its just not on.i

Cor blimey!

Not everyone on UC gets free prescriptions- it’s a very limited number of people. There’s so much disinformation on UC it’s really unsettling.