Irritated that families on UC get heavily discounted entry

[happybug1234]

feel very aggrieved this afternoon to find out that people on UC get heavily discounted entry to popular attractions:

London Zoo
London transport museum
science museum wonderlab
Cutty Sark
kew Gardens
St Paul’s cathedral

As a mum with a professional career, with both husband and I working full time, paying a mortgage, paying a fortune in childcare for 2 under 4’s I seriously despair! From experience of people I see around me, families on UC seem to have more disposable income than us as their rent is paid, have no childcare costs and all their costs subsidised on social tariffs etc.

why is the government getting away with this and why are more middle class/income people not up in arms about it! At the moment I can’t see how us working hard and being self sufficient has benefited us as a family.

I agree, these families are always missed…I am one of them. Stretched but don’t qualify for help.

Certainly try to avoid having twins, eh?🥱

The fundamental issue is tax credits for employers. There was a time before them. Sometimes employers had to put their hands in their pockets to get staff, and pay well. Sometimes the boot was on the other foot and workers had to accept less. Old fashioned supply and demand. It worked.

Now we have the taxpayer paying what employers should be paying. Madness. And workers are stuck on lower wages because of it. You never get for the modest job a situation where the employer has to really cough up the way they sometimes used to. Everyone is stuck on a low wage. Topped up by everyone else.

I once got reduced cost entry for my family to Harewood House because I was in a particular teaching union!
Private companies and organisations often offer discounts for various groups.

Take it up with attractions outside London then.

The reality is OP has a point.
Wage stagnation, the freeze on the income tax thresholds and COL increases have all created a huge issue.
Posters cite companies paying low salaries/not offering pay rises as the issue but businesses are also having to tackle increasing costs (transportation, raw materials, utilities) whilst also dealing with increasing NMW and ENI. Many businesses are grappling with massive challenges.
Add in a spiralling benefits bill, soaring levels of unemployment and we are in a loop that means none of the above issues can be tackled to put more money in the average workers pocket.
Those working are becoming poorer and poorer, at a time when those on benefits are receiving more, that will understandably cause resentment.
I want those on UC to take their kids to enriching activities, but those working should surely be able to as well.

What a sad post. I can assure you that if your children have 2 healthy, fully engaged parents they are already much better off than my children. I don’t think our discounted trip to the ToL will bridge the gap somehow.

Im with you OP. Its unfair. I can't afford these attractions for my son either, im a teacher, single, i could work only 2 days a week if I wanted and then get my pay topped up with UC and get these perks but I dont think that should be an option! But it is and its wrong. This is the UK. It sucks.

You are incorrect.
You might not have got those things because your earnings plus UC put you over the limit.
But I and I know others got lower council tax, reduction in water bill,help with energy costs, free prescriptions, didn’t bother with the free dentist but paid for a visit, free school meals,

So which ones of those you quoted are run by "The Government" ?

Why is this always everyone’s go to comment? It’s really boring now. 🥱

Your children are very fortunate if the household income means you don’t receive child benefit. It’s also a good sign for their future that they have both parents involved and no disabilities. Hopefully your persecution complex won’t harm them.

Yes of course not having SEN leaves your child at a real disadvantage doesn’t it 🙄

some people really do have issues with jealously don’t they!

Lots of inaccuracies here. I get a fairly small UC top up on my salary. I work in the public sector as a manager in a stressful and busy role directly supervising 9 other professional people. I have 2 kids and pay into my pension and pay my mortgage and bills every month. I have zero savings and zero budget for entertainment or holiday. I'd take one of those free days out if I lived nearby or could pay for transport/accommodation nearby.

I think one issue is that more middle class people claim benefits. Or credits whichever you prefer. And have no qualms about doing so either.

Employers have been hit but still tax credits are the biggest employer subsidy going.

Be grateful that we worked hard at school to develop marketable skills that make as valuable assets in the work place?

I always told my children to work hard at school and study well, so they could get decent jobs and not just coast life on minimum wage.

It’s called ‘universal’ credit for a reason; it’s available for anybody who qualifies. If life on universal credit is so much better then you are free to change careers to something low paying, give up your house and find somewhere to rent instead. Nobody has forced you into your current lifestyle and if you are happy to give it up in favour of a life on universal credit there’s nothing to stop you from doing so!

We deserve something in return for our hard work and sacrifice

You get subsidised chilcare, schools, free healthcare, police, armed forces, social services, courts, prisons, roads, a welfare state that will help should you fall on hard times.......You don't need to live in a gated community with armed guards.

Again. Be grateful for what you do have; not what you don't.

Ooo another benefit bashing thread. Goodeee

You feel penalised because your children don't have special educational needs?!
WTF
Can't you just be happy they don't have all the stress and upset etc that that may entail?!

I just read the Annual Report for Historic Royal Palaces (Kew, Tower of London etc). In 2024, 218,000 people took up the £1 offer out of 4.2m visitors. So 5% of visitors. 4m happy to pay the full cost.

Be grateful that you got to go to school and had supportive parents not all of us where this blessed

Because it’s true…just in the same way that someone complaining they were skint and jobless would be told to get a job.

It sounds like OP has plenty of options.

Just to add, if people didn’t do lower paid, less “skilled” jobs then the country would grind to a halt. So what if they have a UC top up…they also may not have had the same opportunities has had in life.

There are so many arguments as to why OP is BU.

I agree. It is actually ridiculous.

Just quit your job then? What's the point in working eh? Just go on benefits.