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?

For anyone considering the Tower of London (though it is the income based benefits only - not DLA and PIP) - you also get 50% off in the restaurant and two kids eat free with each adult meal as well.

The £1 tickets (the income related benefits ones) are also available for Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the King's Galleries and Palace of Holyrood as well

What reasons can't you claim?

Do you have any friends / family who claim? If it’s a six ticket limit then I’m sure they could book for you all just so your children get an equal opportunity to go? Obviously this shouldn’t be the way but zoo trips are out of budget for so many families at the moment, whether they claim UC or not.

During the Covid pandemic, and particularly the lockdowns I gave a voluntary monetary gift to Chester Zoo, and a couple of others. It is many, many years since I was able to visit any of the zoos I donated to as I am bed/wheelchair bound. At the time I donated the money we were just living on my husband's pension and my PIP payment - I have since reached retirement age so now get my state pension as well. I gave the donations for the sake of the animals, and because when I was a child, and then a young adult, I had some magical visits to those zoos.

By the way, we only ever visited one zoo per year, it was a special treat, and I think you said that you can only visit the zoo once a year due to the cost, well isn't that the norm for most people? It is possible that I may be able to visit Chester Zoo next year as we recently moved 'up North' because of the cheaper house rental prices in some places up here. If Chester Zoo are still doing the same offer in the warmer months eg May, my husband and I might be able to go there one more time. Would you really resent me being able to enjoy a day at my favourite zoo @Stillinshock123 - it must be nearly 30 years since I was last able to visit it?

It is first come first served, the tickets sell out quickly

Lots of people who work get universal credit

Earlier today a work colleague of mine proudly stated what there UC monthly take home was, which was around £700 higher than my wages at a job I work hard on. I do not begrudge benefits but when someone is better off than someone who has worked hard and sacrifices to ensure the kid has an enriched life, I find that unfair.
For clarity this colleague does earn less at work than I do due to their role. They have 2 children and I have one. My wage is my total household income as a single parent

Quit your job and sign on, if you think you’ll be better off.

Op is this 1 pound deal available as a one off? Or is it available all year around and? I have a membership and I’d be cancelling if I’m subsidising yet another scheme.

Why do you keep saying “we are all struggling” and then qualify it with except the mega rich and politicians. We aren’t all struggling. I’m not mega rich or a politician and I don’t qualify for any benefits. I’m not struggling and I recognise I am a lot better off than those who are on benefits. You are the sort of person who complains about the pay what you can pantomime by bleating on about how you paid over £200 for a family of 4 and you work very hard blah blah blah. How about you think about all the lovely things you have instead of feeling bitter about a lovely thing someone else has.

Yabu to go to a zoo

It's only for December

It's part of a charity scheme, not a regular thing for Chester

Why? What about the animals that helps pay for?

Must be fun to live in your head!

Also no members are subsiding this. The zoo will be making money from it (hence doing it at a quiet time of year)

Calm down. Half the population is on UC and the other half is being taxed to death to keep them on UC and other benefits. There is a massive inequality here and op is right to be frustrated. We know very well that although there are many who genuinely need and deserve the income top up for vast majority it’s a lifestyle choice.

Off to book now using my PIP. I mean if you want my incurable cancer, I will happily ditch the PIP, get back to work and you would have no reason to grumble??

@OneGreySeal
newsflash
working people on UC pay taxes too!

I pay more in taxes than I receive in UC.
If it was still called working tax credit maybe attitudes would be different.

I totally get what you mean. The people who work hard and get absolutely nothing for free. Of course there are people who work hard who receive benefits too, but for the ones who don’t get anything at all it is a kick in the teeth to know they have to pay for everything to supplement those who don’t. I saw a video earlier of a woman crying about working and claiming UC and ONLY having £600 left a month after all of her bills etc are paid. There are plenty of people not on benefits who don’t have that much left each month

Do you have a link to the video?

No, I didn’t save it, was just something that popped up while doom scrolling!

Exactly this.
People lecturing op have no idea what is like to be just above the benefits threshold and struggling every day but no eligible for any help and yet knowing that your taxes (and entrance fees) are subsidising others with basically the same disposable income as you (possibly even much more disposable income judging by the lives of people I know who get.benefits)

As a nation we need to stop squishing down the noises from those who are being broken by taxation and cost of living yet get no help.

Don’t be so selfish ffs

It's really not selfish.
The people I know who claim benefits are now pretty much the only people I know managing regular theatre trips and days out. Most people have had to give them up as taxation and price rises squeeze ever tighter.

You’re right, poor people don’t deserve zoos. They should look at pictures on the in the library.

London zoo has been doing this for years