DWP announces £10 Christmas bonus update after demands to increase sum

The DWP has said Christmas payments - in the form of £10 bonuses - have been issued to millions in the UK.

Department for Work and Pensions claimants have confirmed Christmas bonus payments have started to land in their bank accounts ahead of the festive season. The DWP has said Christmas payments - in the form of £10 bonuses - have been issued to millions in the UK.

And now claimants are starting to receive them. First introduced in the 1970s, the £10 payment from the DWP has remained static for more than 50 years. According to the Bank of England inflation calendar, £10 in 1972 is now worth £113 today.

Iain Porter, senior policy adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said it was “extremely disappointing” that the payment remains at just £10. Online, there is a Change.org petition callin for the amount issued by the DWP in its Christmas bonus to be increased this festive season.

READ MORE Met Office speaks out over 'snow bomb' hitting 'whole of England and Scotland' within days

"I was reading about the DWP “Christmas Bonus” .. how many years has it been at £10 now, I wondered?" one fumed. "I Googled the question and would you believe it’s been £10 since it was introduced.. IN 1972!!" They went on: "It did go up by LABOUR to £70 in 2008 to help with the financial crash, so why can’t the CONSERVATIVES do the same again during the cost of living crisis?

"And beyond?! Christmas is THE most expensive time of year! Pensioners, the vulnerable & 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!! I then wondered, how much would that be now with inflation? Using the Bank of England inflation tool which, I’m sure accurately, told me it’s £113.18!! Wow!!!!

"Should we be asking, “Why can’t we can afford to buy someone a half decent present, or even have a proper Christmas dinner with all the trimmings?” .. in 2023?? This isn’t asking for “just another handout”. This is for those of us that don’t have an option to earn anything extra. I implore you to sign & share this, if only because the government wouldn’t like their bonus to be stagnant for 51 years!"