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Family Tickets Price Out Single Parents
3 Dec
Summary
- Many attractions' family tickets disadvantage single-parent households.
- Nearly a quarter of UK families with children are single-parent.
- Some attractions are reviewing pricing for better inclusivity.
Family ticket pricing at many attractions inadvertently penalizes single-parent families, leading to higher costs for days out. With almost a quarter of UK families now single-parent, a common pricing model based on traditional family structures excludes a significant portion of the population. This disparity means many children miss out on valuable cultural experiences and bonding time, simply because of unfair ticket structures.
Charities like Gingerbread advocate for more inclusive pricing, noting that single parents often face financial pressures. A pilot scheme with the National Trust offered free tickets to single-parent families, highlighting the need for such initiatives. While some attractions, like Merlin Group, charge per person, many still offer family tickets that may not align with the reality of modern family sizes.
Official figures indicate that the majority of single-parent families have one or two children, yet many family tickets are geared towards three or more children. While some attractions are beginning to review their pricing, like Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh Castle, a shift towards more adaptable ticket options and memberships is needed to ensure accessibility for all.
