On the time of writing, greater than 20,000 folks have signed the petition calling for the rise. They argue that with dwelling prices rising and advantages such because the winter gasoline fee being restricted to fewer folks, a rise is required now greater than ever.
“Christmas is THE most costly 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 increase presently of yr, particularly because the vitality help has been axed.”
A DWP consultant responded: “We all know that Christmas is a time when folks 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 centered on supporting folks year-round via a brand new system which presents higher personalised help for folks out of labor in addition to these in work on a low earnings.”
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 rapid motion to show across the dire inheritance we face — with extra folks dwelling 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 cut back little one poverty and taking the primary steps in the direction of delivering a real dwelling wage for working folks.”
Nevertheless, the consultant didn’t say if the Christmas bonus can be elevated.
For greater than half a century, pensioners, weak folks and carers who obtain the profit have been supplied a one-off £10 bonus each Christmas as a gesture of goodwill.
Nevertheless, many have been shocked to study that the Christmas bonus had remained the identical over the previous 5 a long time, with one supporter saying it’s now “virtually nugatory”.
Right here’s what it’s essential know.
What’s the DWP Christmas bonus?
Folks on the advantages listed right here qualify for the fee, 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 fee 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 momentary.
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 folks to return to work as a substitute of counting on state advantages.
When pressed in September about latest cuts to the winter gasoline fee, Enterprise Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated: “We’ve got no alternative.” He dismissed fears that some folks may die of the chilly this winter on account of the lower.
He added: “We’re ensuring that we are able to reassure folks by saying the state pension is greater than final winter and vitality payments are decrease than final winter.”
The Customary approached the DWP for remark.
What’s the petition for?
The petition urges the Authorities to extend the Christmas bonus to match inflation.
In keeping with the petition organisers’ calculations, this could 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.”
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