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.

It’s not what you’re asking, but a Blue Peter badge gets children free entry to most of those attractions and more. I made DS apply for one last summer- it’s a lot easier than it used to be.

Only if it’s worth a bloody fortune!

RHS gardens are £1 entry for UC claimants

Tower of London £37 per adult, £1 Universal Credit.

If being on benefits is so great, OP, why not quit your job and live like that yourself?

It's not fair that those with additional needs can request assistance at the airport now? 🙄

If it makes you feel better, they are usually last off with special assistance.

Op come on. You paying a mortgage provides you with a stable secure home and is basically banked money which your children will benefit from as inheritance. You're very privileged to be able to tie your money up in a way that generates value with time. Uc claimants who get rent paid don't see any benefit to that other than a roof over their head, the money goes to the landlord.

You chose to have 2 children under 4. Presumably you or your dh are earning over 100k pa or you'd be getting some support with childcare costs. This is also a time limited bill which will reduce when your children go to school. Uc claimants who utilise childcare support are doing so in order to work. They just don't earn as much as you for potentially more hours worked.

Then we take into consideration why people are claiming uc...vulnerabilities, health problems or disabilities, lack of access to education or training, growing up through the care system, caring responsibilities for ill/disabled children. I think a lot of people claiming uc would much rather be in a position to work hard in a stable family and provide for themselves the way you do.

Then you look at the outcomes for children of families most in need of uc. Single mothers for example. Kids are significantly less likely to enter third level education than your kids. But why should we help them because you have to budget.

The privilege and lack of accurate information is hanging out of your posts op. I suggest you educate yourself on the broader picture.

It doesn't mean everyone has the privilege to access it. I spent the majority of my childhood in and out of hospital so I have significant gaps in my education. I have friend who grew up in care got moved around a lot also has significant gaps in her education. Not everyone has this stable perfect life where they can just get up every morning and go to school

Thankyou

No, that's absolutely not what I said at all.

The young person has additional needs, he doesn't cope well with noise and change and chaos. But somehow the family on UC can go to Disneyland Paris and jump all the queues?

What bit of that makes sense.

I agree. I've just looked at the price for London Zoo, for a family of 4, around £107. For a family on Universal credit, 2 adults plus 2 children on the same day, approx £30.
I work, have an ok wage, I can't afford £107 for an activity.

I have no problem with people being supported when they need to be. But why are businesses offering discounts for treats when people who are working can't afford to visit?

but then companies should pay proper wages and not topped up via uc ?

I had never received benefits across my entire working life, until I ended my marriage. The amount of benefits I receive to help raise my children (which as you say, you are also doing. Many thanks, although that isn't QUITE how it works) is negligible.
As for my total income. My salary is around £43k for a good year. The UC I receive is a pittance.
Also, congratulations to you, you have chosen a brilliant partner to have DC with. Your crystal ball-like ability to forsee if someone is problematic is enviable. Well done. I sincerely hope life never throws you a curve ball the way it did me.

Yep.

My son probably won't be able to work anyway but even if he could, he has missed significant gaps in his education and is working below where he should be due to health reasons.

Health is just as much a privilege as accessing education is.

Lots of families on UC also work hard, but they are in low waged jobs, many of which you probably wouldn't want to do, but society relies on.

but then why are some people getting uc because companies dont want to pay proper wages ?

Grand.

basically banked money which your children will benefit from as inheritance

rubbish.

For the life of me, I can't understand where do you see all these unemployed people on UC living like Sheikhs?

I work full-time and don't receive any benefits, but I just tried a calculator to check what I would get if I were unemployed. I'm late 30s, one teen child, a single parent; neither of us has any disabilities or health issues. I own my home, but I checked rents in my area on Zoopla and Rightmove and what the housing allowance in my area is.

So my hypothetical award would be 1170 (personal allowance+child allowance)+ 104 child benefit. And no council tax to pay if I were unemployed, if I understand correctly. So 1274 total. Free prescriptions, but DD and I are not on any meds, and both don't have any eye problems, so that's moot. From what I see, the average monthly rent in my area is 900-1000. So we'd be left with 274-374 to cover all the rest: bills, food, transport, clothing, shoes, school uniform, etc.

Yep, I'm ready to quit my job, get fake nails, botox and book the Maldives. Oh, and let's not forget The Tower and Cutty Sark (need to travel to the other side of the country, as I don't live anywhere close to London).

Because if you earned exactly the same money instead of getting it given to you, you'd have to pay to get in.

Your black and white thinking about this is giving… autistic ✨

Things like affordable childcare I guess, I’ve always worked FT but I don’t assert some ridiculous superiority over others who have different needs

More to the point - Why aren't the government paying you a good enough wage so that things like children having equal access to society, don't trigger you as such.

Blame the government, not the families trying to make the best out of life. Be grateful for what you have, not what you don't have. I doubt they own their own house like you do. Rent is capped at £800.

Of course you do 🙄😂

You may well have to pay some council tax even if you're unemployed. Entitled to often says you don't, but you do. I get a reduction of about £7 for mine. I still have to pay over £100