Universal Credit discounts including £3 tickets to the zoo and more this summer

Families who are claiming benefits such as Universal Credit can get tickets to top attractions in London from as little as £1.

The summer holidays can be financially tough on households, with a new survey by Utility Warehouse suggesting parents are set to spend an additional £611 on average over the six-week break.

This works out at just over £100 extra per week - and it comes on top of ever-rising bills, including council tax and energy. With this in mind, it pays to save money where you can - and there are plenty of top attractions that offer discounted tickets for people claiming Universal Credit.

READ MORE: DWP state pensioners to get surprise payments in bank accounts on Friday

READ MORE: Tesco is hiking the price of its meal deal again from tomorrow

For example, London Zoo offers reduced tickets starting at £3 for children and £6 adults, without a donation. The popular wildlife centre normally charges £31.80 for a standard adult ticket, without a donation.

Kew Gardens, famous for its vast and diverse collection of plants, offers entry for just £1 for people claiming Universal Credit. Visitors can also purchase up to four additional guest tickets.

If you want to explore the Tower of London, you can purchase tickets for as little as £1 - and you can claim cheap tickets for up to six people per household.

Or you may fancy visiting Kensington Palace, the official London residence of William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Universal Credit claimants can purchase tickets for £1 and again, you can also get discounted tickets for an additional six people per household.

BFI Southbank also offers tickets for film screenings from £4 for standard screenings booked in advance, and on-the-day tickets for special events and previews, subject to availability. Tickets are limited to one per person.

It isn't just Universal Credit where you can claim discounts - you will likely be entitled to cheaper tickets if you claim other benefits such as Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.

You will likely need to bring along proof of your benefit award and some ID, so make sure you come prepared ahead of purchasing your tickets.

A record number eight million individuals are now claiming Universal Credit in the UK. This is largely down to people on older legacy benefits, such as income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, being moved over to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit - how much you get

Here is how much the different elements of Universal Credit are worth:

Standard allowance

• Single under 25: £316.98 a month
• Single 25 or over: £400.14 a month
• Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 a month
• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £628.10 a month

Child element

• First child born before April 6, 2017: £339 a month
• First child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child: £292.81 a month
• Disabled child element lower rate: £158.76 a month
• Disabled child higher rate: £495.87 a month

Limited capability for work

• Limited capability for work: £158.76 a month
• Limited capability for work or work-related activity: £423.27 a month

Carer element

• £201.68 a month

Work allowance

• Higher work allowance (no housing amount): £684 a month
• Lower work allowance (with housing amount): £411 a month

Childcare costs element

• Maximum for one child: £1,031.88 a month
• Maximum for two or more children: £1,768.94 a month