Benefit claimants given discounts for nights out, beauty parlours and beach huts

Jack Walters
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 21:41:39 +0000

Local councils have been provided benefit recipients with reduced prices on leisure activities ranging from pub visits and spa treatments to seaside beach hut rentals.

A new investigation discovered that those claiming Universal Credit and mental health-related benefits can access concessions for alcoholic beverages at bars, massage sessions and cosmetic procedures through various local authority programmes.

Discounts available to unemployed claimants extend to football matches, stand-up comedy venues, cinema screenings, sauna facilities and wellness centres.

Additional concessions cover adventure activities such as white water rafting, membership at rowing clubs, yoga sessions and ice skating.

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Wedding ceremonies and leisure centre access are also being offered at reduced rates by local authorities, with taxpayers bearing the increasing costs.

Critics have condemned what they describe as "freebie Britain" spiralling beyond control, arguing a "welfare culture" has embedded itself across the country.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who designed Universal Credit under David Cameron's Government, described the Telegraph's findings as the "most startling evidence to date that perverse incentives" were "creeping back" into the welfare system.

He stated that an "ever-growing list of freebies, relaxed work-search rules and online assessments are all wreaking havoc on the system while costing taxpayers a fortune".

Reform's welfare spokesman Lee Anderson also said: "What's the point in getting out of bed in the morning?

"Freebie Britain has spiralled out of control and a welfare culture has taken hold."

He added: "Hard-working families get hit with higher taxes in order to pay for people on benefits who get cheaper drinks out, discounted spa days and to go white water rafting."

The Labour-controlled Leeds City Council operates a scheme called LeedsCard Extra, available to Universal Credit recipients for £5, which provides up to 20 per cent off food and drinks at establishments including Frankie and Benny's and the Tiki Hideaway bar.

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Cardholders also receive £20 reductions on yoga classes, 15 per cent off sports massages and discounts on beauty treatments such as microblading eyebrow tattoos.

In Colchester, where a Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition runs the council, those receiving means-tested benefits can save £155 annually on beach hut rentals costing up to £630.

Wandsworth Council, under Labour control, promotes what it calls "Britain's best concession scheme".

The scheme offers benefit claimants between 50 and 100 per cent off gym sessions, swimming lessons and wedding ceremonies.

Football supporters seeking work can purchase tickets at Dulwich Hamlet for just £5.50, compared with the standard £13 price.

Brighton's Komedia comedy club extends discounts to Universal Credit and Jobseeker's Allowance recipients.

Meanwhile, Odeon cinemas participate in a programme allowing Personal Independence Payment claimants to bring carers without charge.

Official statistics published this month reveal Universal Credit recipients have increased by 1.5 million since Labour entered power, rising from 6.9 million in July to 8.4 million currently.

Approximately half of these claimants face no work requirements.

Britain's annual welfare expenditure now surpasses £300billion, with the International Monetary Fund noting Rachel Reeves is increasing taxes faster than any other country globally.

A Government spokesman stated: "We're clear that households in work should be consistently better off than households on benefits alone."

The spokesman added the Government was "undertaking the biggest employment reforms in a generation".