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?

Just pretend to be depressed and suffering anxiety and panic attacks which mean you can't leave your house and therefore can't work. That's what my neighbour has been doing for the last 3 years

I'd prefer that everyone got a cheaper rate, rather than one family pays £100 and another pays a fiver.

An earlier PP said it was £155 for 7 of them to go to the Tower of London but £1 when she was on benefits.

I'm assuming that's a £1 each-£7 in total.

That does seem a massive drop, especially as the family of 7 who have to pay full price are most unlikely to be earning 22 times more than the family on benefits, yet they have to pay 22 times as much.

And you know it was genuine because?

A single parent with a disabled child will receive £400 per month on UC once the child turns 18. If they are classified as a carer then they will get a carers element of £200 however their Carers Allowance of £83 will be deducted pound for pound. That will leave them with less than £300 per month. If they rent they will have a housing element which will rarely cover the full rent. The part of the rent which is not covered will be paid out of the £300 they have left.

If the child is so disabled that the parent cannot work this is what they will have to live on whilst caring for their now adult child who will probably need more care once they leave school.

But sure, it's a lifestyle choice and you would grudge them the odd trip to the zoo.

Yes they may have been relatively comfortable while the child was under 18 but that changes dramatically once the child reaches 18. Any benefits the child gets may have to be put towards any social care package they receive and the government are now cutting the "disability" element of UC by 50% from next April and are considering abolishing it completely for those under 23.

Living the high life on benefits indeed.😡

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.

Yes, we really do need to have big conversations, about fairness, and distribution of wealth. About why such a small percentage of the population are able to hoard wealth, and become wealthier by the day, whilst the majority are barely making ends meet, and being encouraged to turn on each other, and punch down. Start talking.

Me too! 😁

Those who claim Universal Credit will think you are unreasonable because human nature means they think they deserve it. Those who are wealthy and are (as yet) unaffected by the cost of living crisis will think you are being unreasonable as you aren’t being ‘kind’. Those in the middle who are struggling and yet receive no help will think you are being perfectly reasonable as they are sick of being cash cows and seeing everyone else have a perfectly lovely time. Being in the middle stinks right now.

Have you reported them, seeing as you know so much about their circumstances, or are you just having a general moan, about your PIP neighbour?

Membership cancelled on the back of this. We kept our membership going through Covid in order to support the zoo but this has really angered me. Yet again the true workers are shafted.

That doesn't work with the charity schemes though. The zoo will be making money either from a donation from the scheme involved, or from some sort of tax break, or similar. There will be a set criteria for them to work with to benefit from it.

Let's be brutal here - Chester Zoo are not doing this kind of thing out the goodness of their hearts because they care about disabled or people who are financially struggling. They're doing it because it gets people through the doors at a quiet time of year and people who are only going as a one off special thing will spend a bit of money when they are there - even just a few quid on a drink - that CZ wouldn't normally see.

Lowering the cost wouldn't work for them in the same way, and ultimately they'll be doing what makes them the most rather than thinking of the customers.

They’ve still got to get there which unless they live locally costs in petrol or bus/ train fares. I think it’s a fab idea for children who would otherwise miss out.

Jesus Christ. Yes it must be fake. 👏

You've cancelled your membership because of a two week charity scheme?

Thanks so much, we’ve now booked a lovely near years break away! Wouldn’t have known, without your thread 😊

Would you like to borrow my youngest child who hasn’t been able to attend school for a year and a half due to illness@Stillinshock123 and get a nice cheap day out? I would love to be in a position where I had the luxury to complain about stuff like this. I don’t want to be one of the people who get concessions. It reminds me of how shit my life is.

Your loss, especially if you have children who enjoy going.

Heavens! Are you suggesting that free transport should also be laid on. We all have to get there!

Yes. As a member of the ‘squeezed middle’ as mentioned above, it’s yet another kick in the teeth. Don’t worry though, I’ll still be working for those two weeks whilst all those poor benefits claimants have a jolly 👍🏻

Are you only a 'true worker' if you earn enough to not be eligible for UC, aren't disabled or don't have a disabled child?

Yes! Why should they be expected to make their own way there?? How unreasonable!

True workers?

Yeah - how dare those kids from poor backgrounds think that they can have a trip out with their families for a discounted rate during two weeks of a 52 week year. Cheeky little fuckers! You’ve taught them.

I know people in rented accommodation who CHOOSE to restrict their earnings to facilitate them being eligible for benefit support in the form of housing benefit and in work UC top up.
The system allows them to do it. They are not doing anything illegal.
They have an easier life and more money taking financial support in the form of benefits than working full time.

I partly agree with you OP.
My DH receives ESA which would make him eligible, although we don't claim universal credit as I'm on a six figure salary. Much as it's nice to have a discount, we (I) can afford full price tickets.
However there are plenty of people in a less fortunate position who this would benefit.
It's a quiet time of year for zoos, maybe this will bring more full price paying customers through their gates accompanying those eligible for the discount.
(Just to add, we live too far away to visit, so won't be taking advantage of the offer).