On the time of writing, greater than 20,000 individuals have signed the petition calling for the rise. They argue that with residing prices rising and advantages such because the winter gasoline cost being restricted to fewer individuals, a rise is required now greater than ever.
“Christmas is THE costliest time of the yr,” stated the petition’s initiator, Shona McMahon. “Pensioners, the weak and other people like myself, disabled, may do with an additional enhance presently of yr, particularly because the power help has been axed.”
A DWP consultant responded: “We all know that Christmas is a time when individuals stretch their budgets, which is why we pay many individuals their advantages sooner than ordinary, serving to them put together for the festive interval.
“We’re targeted on supporting individuals year-round by a brand new system which provides higher personalised help for individuals out of labor in addition to these in work on a low revenue.”
The Division for Work and Pensions is a Authorities division accountable for administering welfare and pension insurance policies, together with advantages for these in want
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They added: “We’re taking quick motion to show across the dire inheritance we face — with extra individuals residing in poverty now than 14 years in the past.
“This consists of extending the Family Assist Fund for essentially the most weak, kickstarting work to develop a technique to scale back youngster poverty and taking the primary steps in the direction of delivering a real residing wage for working individuals.”
Nonetheless, the consultant didn’t say if the Christmas bonus could be elevated.
For greater than half a century, pensioners, weak individuals and carers who obtain the profit have been provided a one-off £10 bonus each Christmas as a gesture of goodwill.
Nonetheless, many had been shocked to study that the Christmas bonus had remained the identical over the previous 5 many years, with one supporter saying it’s now “virtually nugatory”.
Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know.
What’s the DWP Christmas bonus?
Individuals on the advantages listed here qualify for the cost, which is able to mechanically be made to those that qualify and will seem of their checking account alongside the reference DWP XB.
How a lot has it been in earlier years?
The cost was launched in 1972 and has remained the identical for many of the final 50 years. It was elevated in 2008 to £70 due to the monetary crash however this was short-term.
What has Labour stated concerning the DWP Christmas bonus?
Regardless of the assertion above acknowledging the problem, Labour has not stated whether or not the DWP Christmas bonus can be elevated.
Earlier this yr, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, outlined Labour’s plans to encourage individuals to return to work as an alternative of counting on state advantages.
When pressed in September about latest cuts to the winter gasoline cost, Enterprise Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated: “We’ve got no alternative.” He dismissed fears that some individuals may die of the chilly this winter on account of the reduce.
He added: “We’re ensuring that we are able to reassure individuals by saying the state pension is increased than final winter and power payments are decrease than final winter.”
The Normal approached the DWP for remark.
What’s the petition for?
The petition urges the Authorities to extend the Christmas bonus to match inflation.
In accordance with the petition organisers’ calculations, this may have been equal to £113.18 in 2023. This yr, inflation would take the bonus to an estimated £130.
“This isn’t asking for ‘simply one other handout’,” the petition says. “That is for these of us that don’t have an choice to earn something additional.”
