To be cheesed off with Universal Credit entry fees?

[MaturingCheeseball]

I know it’s been done before, but…

I thought I’d like to visit Chatsworth House with (teenage) dd. The cost is £33 each PLUS parking at £7.50. So £73.50.

Then I saw the universal credit/pension credit/pip etc price. THREE POUNDS. And free parking! So £6.00 for two adults (age 17+).

I do not have 12 times as much money as someone on these benefits. I doubt many people do. I’m not begrudging the disadvantaged a day out, but come on! The price differential is ludicrous.

When I saw the £73 price I just decided we couldn’t go, and so be it. But upon seeing the potential for a £6 entry, it made me feel mugged off.

Though just remember those on uc who do work and not on set hours never know what they are getting. It could be £200 uc once month or £800 the next it’s all down to their earnings.

I think you are looking at the ticket price from the angle of someone who has NO IDEA of the costs involved in maintaining & running a property such as Chatsworth House.

Sort of like being self employed then????

The government should work with businesses (off-set a proportion of Corporation Tax as an incentive) to take on government appointed employees.

They have to do the job until they find a preferred one.

It should fit around school hours if needs be.

@pogletsbarhaha I pay tax as well, no shame from me.
During lockdown I had to flee to a refuge with my three children and start again. I have two jobs, in the middle of a new qualification and a peaceful life.
snidey people stopped meaning anything to me the day we left 😘

Cool, I weigh 10 stone, how many stones do I need to lose to not be in chronic pain every day? Would love to not need my very expensive mobility aids and help showering.

You do realise that some people work very hard and are claiming UC because their jobs are so poorly paid. Plenty of care workers claim UC & I suggest you do a 12 hour shift in a dementia care home before you think to call them ‘lazy bastards’

Indeed even worse if you are self employed and on UC.

I wonder if they keep the regular ticket at such a high price so that the discounted one looks like a bargain and brings in more people who wouldn't usually visit? Not that it's fair, just curious as to the huge difference as it is a particularly remarkable one.

I said it’s being debated by medical experts, some say is a real condition others don’t.

My cousin’s weight loss stopped her pain. Obviously she had 3 stone to lose.

Companies should pay people a proper wage, I completely agree. But, if less than 10% of UC claimants are working more than 30 hours a week, is this really an issue with companies not paying enough? Or are people not working enough hours?

It is very expensive. I’d recommend going in November, when the fabulous (free) Christmas market is there, and if you can save up for it, seeing the house all decked out for Christmas is really special. It’s a beautiful day out, and one you’ll cherish the memories of, as I do.

There are free family tickets for NT properties once or twice a year in some newspapers. Last year I bought a £1,50 newspaper (can’t remember which one it was and not something I usually buy) for the ticket. But I understand your pain. Without the newspaper ticket it would have been a £100 day out which I would struggle to justify.

You inferred fibromyalgia was just being fat and peoples own fault.
but I agree, there is far too little research in it or it’s many comorbities. Although I suspect I would like the debate and research to be to help find a treatment rather than find people out.

I get UC, and I agree that price difference is too much. £30+ per person is where my issue is though!

I believe they can only work the hours, if the hours are there?

so if 38% of claimants of UC are in work
50% of UC claimants fall in the "no work requirements" this category includes severely ill or disabled individuals (the largest portion), as well as full-time carers, parents with children under the age of one, and those over state pension age.

as its a Universal benefits system, there are many categories under one umbrella

so of those claimants that are able to work 76% are in work

Chatsworth is not NT. Good to know about the newspaper vouchers though.

Good point. I’ve no involvement with zero hours contracts or less than full time contracts so I’ve no idea if that is the case or not?

YANBU. I’m soooo glad that Labour are going to start cutting down how much you can save in your ISA before you get taxed on the interest to pay for shite like this.

Well, it is said that you can make statistics say whatever you want.

People on NMW often also receive UC.

I weigh 7stone 13. I’m in chronic pain in almost every joint. Shall I lose 3 stone? If, not, how much do you reckon I should lose to get rid of the chronic pain?

where as with other benefits prior to UC whom didn't look at whether the business was actually viable in a way that it was paying a minimum wage - UC is far more stringent with self employed. They are also more stringent with part time workers earning over a certain amount, if they don't earn enough they have to continue to have interviews and are pushed towards finding alternative or higher paid employment

You absolutely can. Like I said, the majority of UC claimants are registered as disabled with Mental Health or Behavioural conditions. Make of that what you will.