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.

Wondering if we have the same friend 🤔

I note op didn't mention those on UC with a mortgage. That wouldn't be so dramatic though I suppose, acknowledging some people on UC also work hard and have a mortgage to pay.

This is a personal friend I'm talking about so this is the situation. One of many - so many people hide savings, or pretend to be made homeless. Someone I know was complaining to me that it took the council 10 years to give them a 4-bedroom house with a garden - most working people would never be able to afford a private property like that where we live, they have to move out.

And what about children from families who don’t receive benefits but cannot afford the zoo? Because they’ve spent all their money on rising rent and mortgages, energy prices and food?

Oh lovely, another benefits bashing thread.

You cant get Kew gardens for £1 anywhere unless on UC. I would love to go but cant afford it after working full time . Its a luxury and shouldn't be allowed . I know you can't leave people starving and thats what benefits are for, but other extras ordinary working people can't afford are unfair.

Exactly.

Its the mentality of "I cant have it so no one should" that is so fucking depressing!

It isnt going to improve @happybug1234 's life anyway whatsoever, it isnt going make sure she pays less tax, can go on more and fancier holidays or feel justified in her anger.

Punching down at its finest, Farage would be proud.

Social tariffs for broadband, phone etc, lower rates on certain means tested benefits

I know. We hadn't had one of those in....ohhhh...must be at least 5 minutes.

Yes they have. Keir starmer personally nationalised all the theme parks and passed a law so that the only people who could access them were the Disabled, the Trans and the Woke. If you can get yourself a rainbow lanyard and a mobility scooter you might be able to sneak in, but they will ask you trick questions in a misleadingly conversational way (eg :"how was your vegan breakfast this morning?") at the entrance gates, so stay alert.

Exactly. My husband and I were looking to go to a National Trust place last week, it would’ve set us back £90 after tickets and parking!!! We didn’t go as we couldn’t afford it!!!!

I can honestly say I have no idea whether anyone I know claims benefits (and if they did, I would assume it was their right). How come everyone else seems to know their friends' incomes in such detail

I agree. We must never allow children growing up in poverty to experience culture they would otherwise be priced out of. It's just not fair to the rest of us - if they can't afford to leave their council estates without massive discounts then they should just stay put.

You’re assuming they don’t work.

Plenty of people on UC work hard, you are very unreasonable to suggest otherwise.

For a start these are not 'attractions' - they are charities who run heritage sites, many of which are important from a historical, scientific and cultural point of view. It is important that UK children, regardless of their ability to pay, can visit them.

As charities regulated by the Charity Commission must do everything in line with their charitable purpose - which usually includes ensuring access to those on low incomes or other disadvantaged groups.

Many get little to no government money. Historic Royal Palaces for example which runs Kew, Hampton Court, Tower of London gets no public subsidy at all and makes all its own money. So you can stop whining about tax payers subsidising them.

They can set their own pricing strategy, as long as it is in line with the Equality Act.

And good news, if you don't want to visit and support this approach YOU DON'T HAVE TO. It's not compulsory.

I don't know why this needs explaining. Almost all museums and heritage sites worldwide give discounted entry to low income or local residents.

Don’t forget historical palaces inc the Tower of London
up to 6 people can get in for 1 each if you get UC
and if your lucky enough to be disabled and get PIP / then you can get your carer in free to a lot of places like the London Eye longleat and discounts on traveling by rail

The beautiful thing about capitalism is that companies do not discriminate in the manner you do. They'll adjust their prices in anyway that allows them access to everyone's dime - the rich, the poor and the in between.

You’ve been scanning Robert Jenricks social media @happybug1234 - literally copied word for word. Nothing better to do than shit stir?

Approx 40% of people on UC work full time. They aren't all sitting on a sofa in their front garden drinking white lightning whilst watching Jeremy Kyle.
OP why don't you cut back your hours and experience the joys of UC yourself? You could sell your home, spend it all on takeaways and cider and then your DC would get free admission to Kew Gardens and you'll get a free nursing home.

I agree with this. I believe they are offered to widen participation.
There are so many barriers to this type of experience for low income families, I hope it gives the kids a chance to try them.
At the age OPs kids are, a lot of the attractions are less or nil anyway.

That doesn’t mean they should get something subsidised. They already get so many other hand outs. Meanwhile those of us who have sacrificed a lot for education and working very difficult and demanding jobs get no free hand outs. Read up on the squeezed middle. Labour have f*cked this country.

Completely agree.

Quit your job and go on UC then 🤷‍♀️

Don't believe everything you are told unless you have full access to a person's bank accounts and medical records you have no clue. Just for e.g. i have bpd and not one family member or friends or colleagues have a clue. Don't ever think you truly know the details of people's lives even the ones closest to you because you just don't