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.

I know a family have known the husband for years, they have 2 children, when pregnant with the second and refused a HA property as priority, they 'split up' which basically meant he transferred his bank, car insurance etc back to his parents. The wife then went off sick from her part time job, claimed she couldn't afford the private rental on her own got a two bedroom HA house before the second baby was born, the week she moved in they 'got back together', later down the line he was added to the tenancy as there seems to be no barrier to that. She has barely worked for the last 15 years, occasionally in care work for a couple of months but then quits citing bullying poor treatment, stress. He had a decent job in a construction adjacent field in lower management, had worked there years probably earning 40-50k, decided it was too stressful and he hated not being around during the school holidays 'for the kids'. So quit, again citing stress, retrained as a TA , good for him. Except they could afford all of this as every time their income drops their UC goes up. He had 20k inheritance a few years ago, rather than take it (his mum died) he asked his dad to just buy them a new car so it didn't affect UC. To me this isn't what the benefit system is for, to be played like a game, it's should be a safety net for people in need. It's not what the rest of his family are like and he knew nothing about the benefits system prior to their relationship. Her whole family claim some kind of benefit (other than the ones in prison) , they know every loophole and hoop to jump through. That isn't a safety net, it's a lifestyle choice. They both smoke which is hugely expensive. Do I want to quit my job and go on benefits, no thanks. Do I begrudge my taxes paying for people like that? Yes. I came from a truly working class background, everyone worked manual/unskilled jobs often multiple jobs to make ends meet. Good hardworking people. There are now whole families without this motivation, I don't think it's a positive environment for children to grow up in and you see already their attitude to working for something including at school.

I don’t understand why PIP is on that list. It’s not means tested. My exH gets PIP and doesn’t need it. Nearly £900 a month.

I'm sorry that 5 5k per month isn't enough for you.

Absolutely quit your business and become an employee. Sounds like the right move for you.

I agree it’s not fair

I used to claim UC and worked full time - 2 kids. Single parent. rented house

Salary was £22500, received roughly £700 a month on average universal credits - income total was around £2250 monthly putting me on a salary equivalent of £35k per annum

So why on earth people in this situation receive massively discounted entry when there are people not in receipt of UC on the same salary is utter madness

I receive no benefits now at all BTW - not even child benefit - but I can see both sides

So what is stopping you from doing that then?🙄

It’s ironic how Gen X/ millennials have been banging on for 20 years about how they wish they had a scandavian utopia where big society looked after everyone and everyone was happy and healthy. Then when it comes in pretty much any form we’re all bitter and furious that someone else might get something we didn’t.

Why should PIP be included, all the other categories are means tested and are generally for those on a low income. I know someone who is a higher rate tax payer, as is their partner, who due to an ongoing illness is entitled to Pip. Their net household income is over £100k a year, not sure why they’d require subsidies to visit attractions!

UC isn’t worked out after pension contributions 🤣

If UC is on the list why shouldn’t PIP be? Maybe you should report your exH?

I don’t think anyone wants to deny benefits claimants and their kids from visiting these places. But someone needs to clamp down on this ridiculous differential in price. That makes it un-affordable for a lot of families. And that just isn’t fair. I have colleagues whose household income is 60K but there is hardly any disposable income. They aren’t entitled to any benefits. Their kids would also enjoy these places but they can’t go only because their parents work hard and pay taxes so others can go. How is that fair?!

I dunno something nice to do for someone who has been dealt a shit hand in life?

it’s not subsidised, they are just offering reduced prices

Rage bait.

Selling my business! It’s quite a decision and we will have to see how it goes over the next few years. If we continue as we are with no extra to put into pension then we will have no choice. IMO it’s unethical. But whats even more stupid is to cut our nose to spite our face. And I cant work out which option is doing that.

@MaturingCheeseball regards the discount price. By the time you have spent money on buses (3 buses each way from where I live) or paid for fuel it's not that much of a discount....its a very isolated place.
Only time I go is if family can drive me which isn't very often

As has been said before, the entry price is calculated to get the most people through the gates. This means that the price is what people are prepared to pay.

The reason the companies offer very low price tickets is because once through the gates they will pay for food, drink and gifts at full price. They make more money from this than from the entry fee.

It’s called capitalism. If you don’t like it, vote for a left wing political party.

I dont begrudge you a day out and am certainly not accusing benefit claimants of being lazy or workshy, majority are anything but.

I also don't see why you can't see it is grossly unfair for UC claimants to get these cheap tickets when many middle class families can also not afford - or have to ration these days out - too. Why are the families on UC more deserving?

Exactly what I was thinking. She’s spat her dummy out because people in a different life situation to her have got something she hasn’t got. Waa waa waa.

Yes it is

I'll give you an example.
My autistic son can tolerate maybe an hour at an attraction like this before becoming overwhelmed.

I would imagine there are people with physical disabilities who could not manage a full day because of tiredness, meds etc.

£3 means you can go and see how you get on. At full price you wouldn't take the chance.

Until you have lived with the impact of disabilities it's is hard to imagine all the little ways it can impact.

Because they clearly aren't in the majority. Most people who either claim PIP for themselves or DLA for their child do not have an income of over £100k a year.

No of course not. I'm not dissing the system, more pointing out that for some there is a disincentive to work. Should also point out that I don't get any extra UC for health related issues, which I could have done, so this is just the basics amount. This was never meant to be long term, but I'm surprised how well we've managed. Life is certainly calmer and better for DC with me at home

Goodness let’s all put 100% of our salary into pensions then. I’ll be able to retire by 46

He obviously feels differently to you, and to be eligible for the higher rates, on both components of PIP, he must have a high level of disability.

Well check it out if your and employee. I am not against people getting ahead. Good for you.

It’s just galling that when you try to stand on your own two feet. Pay your housing, set up your own business - you’re just screwed at every turn.

Three of those benefits don't even exist anymore.