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.

OP works hard for what she has. I don’t see why she should be thankful tbh.

It doesn’t make them accessible for everyone as I can seldom afford these attractions full price. Where is the discount for my children to enjoy this experience?

This is largely about widening access by encouraging people who would not normally consider one of these "cultural capital" generating places. I am sure, OP, that your long term earnings and access to opportunities will be far greater than those of the children of families on UC.

There are lots of other ways to access cheaper entry prices to these venues, though, as a PP mentioned.

It’s not really fair at all. The middle are squeezed as always while hand outs are given out Willy nilly

Then CLEARLY you are not working hard enough.

Ooh, you're a mouthpiece for Reform. Word for word, their point. Please have an original thought at least ...

Of course. They are not in any way, shape or form educational experiences and it’s only right to deny them to children from low income families. Silly me.

I feel very mixed about this. I know families where no one works because they choose not to. They have multiple children and have never worked a day in their lives
But there are also just loads of desperately poor people whose kids deserve a treat.

But it’s the working poor that are the ones I feel sadness for. They work and get virtually nothing.

I wonder how many people actually use these subsided entries. It's not just the cost of entry that's prohibitive but travel there and back and people would probably have to take a pack lunch and avoid the gift shop which is fine I guess but not the full experience.

Lots of museums and galleries are free anyway but if you live far out from these things , being on UC would still put places out of reach. Trains are expensive.

I can't imagine begrudging kids a day out at a castle or the Cuttysark tbh.

"why is the government getting away with this"

What are you on about? Visitor attractions can offer discounted tickets who whoever they damn well please. Or do you mean that the government should stop giving people anything other than the cost of bread and gruel?

Ah, yes of course, that's it. Another benefits-bashing thread. You'll be moaning that it is a disgrace that food banks only give out stuff to poor people next.

Yes they can afford holidays. I know lots of families on universal credit that go on more and better quality holidays than us!

You’re right OP. As usual those working their butts off day in/day out, end up paying for everyone else as well. Absolutely not on and a complete racket.

And before anyone harps on, only about one third of the UC claimants work.

They "get their rent paid" out of the UC they are awarded. If they aren't working/ aren't working enough then that's capped. Rent is more often than not more than the housing element of UC so they have to make up the shortfall. For years my rent was more than half of my UC award.

Disabilities aside, families on UC dont have more disposable income. Unless I did claiming benefits wrong (single parent, have been employed and unemployed).

The idea that getting UC means you don’t pay rent and have zero childcare costs will come as quite a suprise to many receiving UC , however little they receive. Yes there are people getting a fair old whack covered because they have very high rent costs and low earnings but equally there are many getting a very modest amount as a top up on earnings - it’s not one size fits all

So pack your job in OP!! Move to rented accommodation and see how you fare.

If it's so luxurious that you begrudge a low earning family a chance to take their children for an experience they couldn't have otherwise, hand in your resignation and live the life of Riley 🫪

stop working then as it would obviously make you so much better off! 🙄

Link?

If you go on entitled to website there are people in work and on UC who are bringing home after tax over £6000 per month.

Say you are a worshipper at St Paul’s or attend a service and you can all go in for free.

you also get to hear some great music for free.

that’s one great discount!

Don’t have children if you can’t afford them?

Resign from your jobs, get minimum wage jobs instead, claim uc and you'll be much better off then.

It was all over news today - promoted by Reform

You’re getting a hard time on here. I completely understand why this annoys you.
I’ve always worked, and was a single parent for many years, and it was really hard and money was tight - in the years before UC top ups. Lovely days out like you describe were few and far between for us while others got reduced price (in my
town it was reduced tickets at the local theatre and reduced bus prices as well as entry to a museum and membership at the leisure centre).
I’m not saying that other kids don’t deserve lovely days out but it seems off when the kids of people who work get to go less due to finances.

Large family with disabled family members by any chance?

Tbh, thats how it should be. UC is.to pay for necessities. Not luxuries. Xx