{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreifopei4ijvtum3fk4ue2cwousfcfh3acjxdmb4vyzpnwr47e3tgia",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhnxlvfq7z2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreig4tesiq2dzjgi333657smahokiqvw6ctwdxzwr5geazfu6y23vre"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 96256
  },
  "path": "/money/universal-credit-golf-dwp-freebie-benefits",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-27T07:40:13.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "State pension triple lock 'cannot exist forever' as payment hikes cost YOU £12bn a year",
    "State pensioners can claim £344 boost every four weeks through single DWP payment",
    "DWP confirms £778 boosted payments for those with common health condition",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nUniversal Credit claimants are receiving discounted rounds on the golf course and kayaking lessons as part of numerous freebie benefits provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).\n\nA recent probe into the primary benefit payment for working-age people has uncovered, what critics claim, are \"ridiculous\" perks attached to welfare support.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAmong those qualifying for such perks are individuals on low incomes, people unable to work due to illness, and those with disabilities.\n\nPrevious revelations showed claimants in the capital could access reduced entry to attractions including the Cutty Sark and Hampton Court Palace, whilst Portsmouth residents were offered cheaper beach hut rentals.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIn Portsmouth, residents receiving the standard monthly payment of £338 for single adults over 25 can obtain the city's Leisure Card at no cost, granting them 40 per cent reductions at Great Salterns Golf Course, bringing a round down from £28 to £16.80.\n\nOver in Labour-controlled Ealing in west London, benefit recipients can purchase a leisure card for £6 annually, unlocking half-price golf at £15.50 per round, The Sun reports.\n\nMeanwhile, Bradford claimants paying just £3 yearly for their Leisure Card gain access to discounted water activities at Doe Park, including kayaking at £9.30 rather than the standard £11.70, alongside reduced boat hire rates.\n\nThe number of Universal Credit claimants has now reached 8.4 million, representing an increase of one million compared to the same period last year, official figures reveal.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * State pension triple lock 'cannot exist forever' as payment hikes cost YOU £12bn a year\n  * State pensioners can claim £344 boost every four weeks through single DWP payment\n  * DWP confirms £778 boosted payments for those with common health condition\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHalf of all recipients currently face no work requirements, whilst households with children make up 45 per cent of those receiving payments.\n\nThe latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that Britain's jobless rate has climbed to 5.2 per cent, the highest level recorded since 2021.\n\nSpeaking to Newspage, Riz Malik, the director at R3 Wealth, warned that public finances are being stretched to breaking point.\n\nHe said: \"A weakening labour market will inevitably push more people towards state support, adding pressure to already stretched public finances.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Malik cautioned that without appropriate monetary and fiscal intervention, confidence could deteriorate rapidly, raising the prospect of a more severe and extended economic downturn.\n\nFormer Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith condemned the arrangements, stating: \"The Government has lost its nerve trying to get welfare under control.\n\nThe ex-DWP minister added: \"When you add this ridiculous stuff to it, it's a massive disincentive to work.\"\n\nIn a statement, the DWP said: \"We're clear that households in work should be consistently better off than households on benefits alone.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Universal Credit claimants handed golf course discounts under 'ridiculous' DWP freebie benefits"
}