DWP responds to calls for £10 Christmas Bonus for millions to be increased to £165

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a response to a petition demanding an increase in the £10 Christmas Bonus. The petition, which has garnered over 20,600 signatures, calls for the bonus for benefit recipients to be raised to £165 in line with inflation, reports Birmingham Live.

Shona McMahon, the creator of the petition, highlighted the financial pressures of the festive period, stating: "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."

She also expressed her shock at the stagnation of the bonus amount, saying: "It was shocking to learn that the '£10 Christmas Bonus' has been the same for OVER FIVE DECADES! ! " In response, a DWP spokesperson commented: "We are taking immediate action to turn around the dire inheritance we face - with more people living in poverty now than 14 years ago."

They added that measures include extending the Household Support Fund for those most in need, initiating plans to tackle child poverty, and moving towards a genuine living wage. Another petition on the Parliamentary website notes that the Christmas bonus, established in 1972, has not kept pace with inflation, which would put its current value at around £130, and urges the Government to adjust the payment accordingly.

"The DWP Christmas bonus for benefit claimants is a measly £10 - hardly enough to cover the costs associated with holidays. It is almost insulting to be presented with an amount of money this small - the equivalent of 76p before inflation - when many of us are already living hand to mouth and in constant fear of getting our benefits reassessed or revoked. Disabled and low-income people deserve better."