Universal Credit claimants are gaining access to some of Britain's most popular tourist attractions for as little as £1, raising concerns about a two-tier pricing system funded by working families. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit allows recipients to purchase tickets to landmarks such as the Tower of London and Kensington Palace for just £1, representing discounts of up to £36.
Figures Reveal Scale of Discounted Tickets
Data obtained by The Telegraph shows that 12 well-known attractions, including the London Transport Museum and the Cutty Sark, sold 592,705 discounted tickets to Universal Credit claimants last year alone. This has sparked criticism from various quarters, with some arguing that hard-working families are effectively subsidising these cut-price entries.
Political Reaction
Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, stated: "Hard-working families shouldn't be made to pay higher ticket prices to subsidise cheaper entry for families on benefits. They’re already squeezed to the pips with a record tax burden to fund a spiralling benefits bill. It’s unfair and wrong."
Shimeon Lee from the TaxPayers' Alliance commented: "Taxpayers will be baffled that Universal Credit claimants are being handed heavily discounted tickets while they pay full price. This feels like yet another example of a two-tier Britain, where those funding the system receive fewer benefits than those drawing from it."
Expert Opinions
Benjamin Gregg, head of welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, said: "These figures betray the hidden welfare system that well-intentioned but ill-thought policy has created. The whole point of Universal Credit was to simplify welfare: one payment to support those who can’t work, withdrawn evenly so work always pays."
Dr Christopher Snowdon from the Institute of Economic Affairs added: "These discounts are part of a shadow welfare state which forces those who work to subsidise those who don’t. Promotions like this act as a further incentive for people to work less or not work at all."
