£10 Xmas Bonus
Does anybody else agree with this, I find it an absolute insult in todays day and age, and in the midst of a cost of living crisis to be giving benefts claimants a £10 Xmas bonus. Whilst I accept you should never complain about any kind of DWP bonus it's remained the same since about 1972 when it was first intoduced, and has never been increased since then with inflation.
The Christmas Bonus is a one-off payment of £10. In recent weeks, frustrated benefit claimants have called on the government to increase the amount, saying that handing out just £10 is an 'insult' amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
An online petition launched in October last year by Sharon McMahon has received more than 21,000 signatures, with hundreds of people airing their frustrations over the 'stagnant' benefit.
Despite rising inflation and increases in the cost of living, the £10 bonus has stayed at the same level since it was introduced under the Pensioners’ and Family Income Supplement Payments Act in 1972. Ms McMahon argued that the bonus should increase with inflation each year and said it would now be worth more than £110 if that was the case.
Comments
-
I agree but in a way I'm surprised it hasn't been scrapped I'd rather them take that away than my disability benefits, I use mine to buy my Christmas chicken 😂🐔
2 -
I'm surprised it hasn't been scrapped as well. I can only assume it's largely automated so doesn't take much human labour to process.
I give mine to a homeless charity each year now.
2 -
Stopped mine dead five years ago. Not a word why,still on same benefits.
Don't want to question it and lift my head above the parapet.
0 -
I've seen stuff on the Internet about this saying something about 130 pounds. I never know what's real and what's not real on the Internet these days .
0 -
It also said that its been the same amount for years and years and has never gone up with inflation. Unfortunately inflation stuff is way above my head .
1 -
There was an interesting article about the £10 bonus a few weeks back, I cant remember the exact number, but if the bonus went up with inflation, it's be in the region of £136 these days.
3 -
Oh I see Strawberry has already mentioned it. I should've refreshed the page before posting my comment. 😆
0 -
No worries @Albus_Scope 👍. No worries at all.
0 -
Unlike other more substantial welfare programs, the £10 Christmas bonus has remained unchanged and because it is a small, symbolic payment, it does not attract much public or political demand for an increase.
The £10 Christmas bonus has remained unchanged largely because it was introduced as a symbolic gesture, a one-off payment to help people during the holiday season. Since its introduction in 1972, it has not been linked to inflation or rising living costs in part because it was not intended as financial support. The government has prioritised other forms of support, such as the Cost of Living payments, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payment, which are more substantial and are intended to directly address people's financial needs.
Additionally, increasing the Christmas bonus would require additional funding, which has not been a priority due to broader budget constraints. While appreciated, the Christmas bonus is seen as a minor gesture rather than a key part of welfare support.
2 -
Thanks @Emilee 😊
0 -
While I think it has good intentions I think the amount that is given is, due to inflation, so small at this point it feels almost like it's just a virtue signal at this point. Of course an extra £10 doesn't hurt, but £10 is also next to nothing when the idea was to help those on benefits afford a christmas meal with their family.
1 -
I would rather they keep mine to help with the big hole we find ourselves in, as it won't cover the postage on some cheap Xmas cards. Yes, I take it as an insult!
1 -
The benefits we are getting isn't keeping up with inflation or the cost of living.
I would personally scrap the payment and use the savings due to prevent further cuts.
I don't celebrate Christmas, so never really sure what the £10 is for. I can though year myself to some of the yummy food that's over priced at this time of year!!
0 -
honestly the £10 is insulting
I personally think it should be scrapped and the savings counted towards this £3.9billion (over next 4 yrs?) that reeves needs to find in welfare cuts
(If 2.5million people get the £10 bonus, axing it would save £25million a year, or £100 million over 4 years which is a sizable saving for something that impact would quite frankly be minimal?!)
3 -
Stopped mine dead five years ago. Nothing changed re what benefits I get.
I'd rather give it to charity tbh.
I agree too! scrap it. It's a def insult.
0 -
I haven't had one in three years. Not since my PIP renewal went through and my payment day changed.
I don't really mind that much - I'm also too scared of the DWP to quibble over such a small amount, to be honest. If only I thought it was being used to do good somewhere else in the system.
1 -
I have had a quick look online and scrapping the bonus could save 175 million a year.
They don't plan on doing that, but it would make a big saving.
2 -
No need to cancel. We need to add bonuses to everyone on the main Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and other religious holidays. It will be fair.
0 -
Someone's religion has nothing to do with the entitlement, it's based on what benefit you receive.
0 -
Which is better: £10 bonus OR £10 bonus + £10 bonus + £10 bonus + ... ?
0
Categories
- All Categories
- 14.9K Start here and say hello!
- 7K Coffee lounge
- 81 Games den
- 1.7K People power
- 102 Announcements and information
- 23.3K Talk about life
- 5.5K Everyday life
- 276 Current affairs
- 2.3K Families and carers
- 857 Education and skills
- 1.9K Work
- 501 Money and bills
- 3.5K Housing and independent living
- 998 Transport and travel
- 682 Relationships
- 71 Sex and intimacy
- 1.4K Mental health and wellbeing
- 2.4K Talk about your impairment
- 857 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions
- 916 Neurological impairments and pain
- 2K Cerebral Palsy Network
- 1.2K Autism and neurodiversity
- 38.1K Talk about your benefits
- 5.8K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 19.2K PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
- 7.6K Universal Credit (UC)
- 5.5K Benefits and income