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 work full time and claim PIP, and I paid for me and my sister to go to Chester zoo this year back in October. Its only for universal credit claimants.

Yeah I often say that

its open to you…

nah don’t fancy it…thought not

You are clearly completely out of touch.

Laugh all you like. But dismissing the reality of people's lives just shows a tremendous lack of empathy and insight. It's not just my friendship group, I also see this through the work I do - so have a much broader span of sight on this

We need some really big conversations in this country about fairness and distribution of help.
At the minute it's a system that is leaving a section of the working population increasingly angry and demotivated and we need to explore that not laugh at it.

Eh? Did you quote the wrong poster? How on earth is @ForMyNextTrickIWillMakeThisVodkaDisappear post ‘out of touch’!?

Ok so your friends and work are the whole country

still waiting for the stats that say half the country are on UC

we already know the answer - the govt are subsidising wages as they are too low - in affect subsidising private wealth through taxation - making financially rich richer

Over this 2 week period, it is also for PIP and DLA claimants.

in the October hols they did £10 for kids, adults full price. I took my 2 and it was about £55. It’s a full, fun day out but there’s no way we could justify it at full price for a family of 4.

It isn't. DLA and PIP claimants can get it too, but it's time limited only over Christmas.

Thanks for the heads up OP! We're off on Monday for a fiver! We've only ever been to small zoos and have been wanting to take them to Chester 😁

We do work, and we get a small amount from UC

The headline for schools is ‘free tickets’ which is technically true but they are limited as are these UC tickets. Limited to how many, I don’t know, but in the case of schools, my child’s primary ended up paying!

Ive only read the first page of comments - but actually OP im going to agree with you!

If we didnt own our (very cheap less than 150k) home, we would be entitled to full market rental (more than double our current mortgage) via UC 🙃, and i suppose, would also be entitled to the £1 zoo offer..

Whilst im greatful to own our home it does make you wonder if its worth it!

Of course your own security is worth it

and not being viewed as disgusting by those who make threads like this

We chose a different path in life and that’s ok but what’s not ok is the state of the welfare system which isn’t welfare anymore it’s a lifestyle.

No it isn’t - it’s avoiding Victorian England and there clearly is enough money

the real problem is 5 % of country own 90% of wealth

Fellow low-ish earning full time childcare payer who receives no benefits, it is frustrating that we seem to be the ones struggling. I’m sick of working for not a lot of spare money. I’m a bit pissed off with Chester Zoo about something else tbh. We’re members and only get a 10% discount for their Christmas lanterns in the evenings that they do, and it costs a fortune so we can’t afford to go! We do go to the zoo once a month or so, although the membership is expensive we don’t ever pay for other days out because we can’t afford it.

Try blackpool zoo op its cheaper and better IMO

I agree with you. Make it cheaper for people on benefits but £1 is taking the piss.

My neighbour claims universal credit because he claims he has such bad anxiety attacks he cannot leave his house. That is absolute bullshit as he leaves his house almost every day to shop, see his girlfriend, walk his dog and, best of all, work CASH IN HAND.

Plus, of course, tax is not paid on universal credit no matter how high the amount is.

I get state pension at a slightly higher amount because I never opted out of SERPS and now have to pay tax on it. Makes me sick

Well you know you so you can report

that’s a fraud not a genuine benefit claimant

Your kids get to go to the zoo once a month! So you know how privileged that sounds??? Clearly not

Thats the problem

we used to go maybe twice in a childhood

sack the membership and do different things if your kids need entertaining all the time

You talk about attending the zoo only once a year because of the price, but also say you understand some families on UC/etc may never get to visit the zoo. Are you really grudging people their first time round a place you can afford to go to every single year, on the basis you yourself can’t go more than once a year?

I think the point from some is that when you're just above the line for benefits but unable to afford days out like this for your children it's frustrating. Of course it's great some kids will get to go because of this scheme but when you don't qualify because you are above a threshold but still can't afford to give your children those experiences, it can be hard to swallow at times

I’m sure the kids will be benefitting in other ways

please don’t begrudge these kids - I see them at the Foodbank helping their parents pack all the time - very sad

be angry at the govt not these families - keeping rich rich and even richer

However AIBU to be upset that yet again working families don’t seem to benefit from much?

I mean, working families benefit from their wages, don’t they?

The poster up thread is moaning and her kids phone a month!

begs belief