New petition calls for DWP £10 Christmas Bonus to increase for first time in 51 years
05.12.2023 - 12:03
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to increase the annual £10 Christmas Bonus payment in line with inflation. The tax-free £10 payment has been paid to millions of benefit claimants since it was introduced by Ted Heath’s Conservative Government in 1972.
The Christmas Bonus is paid to people of State Pension age and those in receipt of certain benefits. It has not been uprated or increased since it was introduced five decades ago and in today’s money, it would be worth around £162 - when calculated under the composite price index published by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Petition creator, Shona McMahon, highlights how Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown increased the payment to £70 in 2008 to help people cope with the financial crash and asks: “Why can’t the Conservatives do the same again during the cost of living crisis? And beyond?!”
In the petition, posted on Change.org, Ms McMahon continues: “Christmas is the most expensive time of year! Pensioners, the vulnerable and people like myself, disabled, could do with an extra boost at this time of year, especially as the energy assistance has been axed.
“The excuse would probably be that we are getting the £300 cost of living payment. For many of us, that payment goes out on bills the same day it goes into the bank, so there is NO chance of it lasting till Christmas!”
“It was shocking to learn that the £10 Christmas Bonus has been the same for over five decades!!”
You can follow the progress of the petition on Change.org here.
Nobody needs to apply for the £10 payment as it should automatically go into the account where you usually receive your benefit payment or State Pension. It will show as ‘DWP XB’ on bank statements and online