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.

UC top up is fine but why does that qualify them for subsidised zoo entry when your average working family cannot afford this?

Im about to be in that position applying for universal credit after 28 years in a relationship and married,marriage has broken down and im terrified! I work part time and have 2 sons at home still,1 having complex medical needs, we cannot afford to live in the family home after 28 years and im looking for a cheaper smaller place to rent.I will have to work longer hours, cut down on literally everything and of course universal credit will penalise me for working harder to keep our heads above water.I work,do not smoke or do drugs etc not everyone asking for help are bums who cannot string a sentence together or never wash lol,your post 🫣

I have 2 degrees, professional qualifications and work in a respected role as a civil servant. But I'm still entitled to universal credit. Working hard at school doesnt guarantee that you won't suffer any difficult circumstances.

Thousands of people on minimum wage work bloody hard. For little recognition. For society to function effectively, we need people who are proficient at all levels, doing all kinds of jobs with very different skill sets. It's not rocket science. You're not an inherently bad or stupid or disgusting person because you earn minimum wage. Anyone working full time deserves respect, regardless of their job title.

All these indignant people! Annoyed at a government that has nothing to do with private companies' charging policies!

What about retired people with big fat pensions getting reduced price entry? Are you angry about them too? Or are they OK because they don't dress in leisurewear?

I'd much rather be in your position and have a mortgage than be paying dead money for rent.

Taxpayers don't pay for it. These discounts are not governmental

My daughter has a Masters Degree, 2 children and works full time in her profession. She has worked since she got a paper round aged 14. Unfortunately her partner cleared off with someone else. He pays no maintenance and CMS don't seem to be able to track him down even though she has told them where he lives. Consequently she is eligible for, and claims, Universal Credit. I'm.sorry this offends you, your attitude offends me.

And it's not the people paying full price funding the difference at London Zoo as Reform are trying to claim. It's funded via a grant from the National Lottery

Because of the COL in this country.

Minimum wage plus a UC top up barely covers the essentials. These people can work incredibly hard in lower paid roles essential to our society.

Why should they and their children miss out because they weren’t presented with the same opportunities in life.

It’s hardly a 5* all inclusive, they are museums and other educational venues. Children should all have cultural experiences available to them.

You would prefer kids who will need care all of their lives and never leave home. Just so it feels fair?

If you mean the tax credits system then it isn't a thing anymore. It ended last year and people were migrated to UC.

Would you resent me getting free entry as carer to my severely disabled son who is non verbal with complex needs?

You literally need to ask the zoo. Or theme park, or castle, or whatever.

They've calculated that the slightly increased footfall and associated spend from the groups qualifying for free entry is worth it, for them. If you ask how they've worked that out, maybe they'll tell you.

I’m a single parent, so my household isn’t “normal” by your standards. I’m also low income but don’t qualify for any help.

So, no, your children are not being penalised. It sounds as though your children are very lucky and you should appreciate that.

And what about your working family who is left with exactly the same disposable income at the end of the month (after bills and no hand outs) but has to forgo the zoo trip because they can’t afford it but a family on UC gets to go in for next to nothing?

please answer the question.

Let it go. I’ve been on benefits and i’ve also been (am) a higher rate tax payer. Life can change in the blink on an eye. Do I care that a family got subsidised entry to the zoo? UC is also an in work benefit. This could be a parent working as a nurse, not enough to get by without a UC top up. Life is expensive, especially with the current COL.

Richer people use the services of those on lower wages, nhs, hairdressers / beauty, cleaners, delivering their multiple deliveroo orders. Yet complain if they get UC top ups and discounts on some days out. Give it a rest.

If you get irritated by poor kids accessing fun stuff, you need to take a long hard look at yourself and your own life.

That's not normal or healthy.

Again a strawman argument.

It is the principle.

Reduced attraction rates
Reduced Gym memberships from council schemes
Free prescriptions
Free or subsidised dental

This country is simply too generous.

Its not a safety net. Its a sustainable lifestyle.

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.

My mind boggles how you’ve managed to have a professional career but otherwise seem as thick as mince.

You are so ignorant

Single parents, who make up a large proportion of UC claimants, already face higher costs proportionally.

Our local wildlife park charges £15.95 per adult and £13.95 per child.

So, say for example, if I go with my work colleague who earns the same as me, and her higher earning husband, and we take our children (2 for each family).

They pay £59.80 for their entry, so obviously more, but if they split the cost, the cost to each of them is £29.90. The cost to me is £43.85.

Also don’t get me started on the 25% council tax discount.

I agree. What next? “How is it fair that this charity is sending terminally ill children on a holiday of a lifetime to Florida. My children don’t have cancer, but we’d never be able to afford to take them to Disney!”

”Why do nurses get a blue light card? I work full time and I don’t get 10% off at Nando’s! Fucking scroungers!”

Imagine being that bitter and twisted that you can’t stand the thought of a child having a cheap day out. It might blow their mind to learn that CHARITIES (which these establishments are) have to actually perform charitable acts to be able to keep their charitable status.

There has to be a cut off some point, sadly.

I was a mum of twins, childcare cancelled out my salary so I didn’t go back to work. Husband earned £55k so we didn’t qualify for child benefit even though a couple earning £45k each would.

The system isn’t ideal, it would be great if it was all case by case but that doesn’t mean children should miss out on the meantime.