Millions of people claiming State Pension or certain benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receive an extra £10 payment every December. The Christmas Bonus was introduced in 1972 and is made automatically every year.
However, a staff member for Conservative MP Matt Vickers asked DWP if it has “made an assessment of the potential merits of ending the annual £10 Christmas Bonus to pensioners and allocating the money saved elsewhere in order to alleviate current budgetary pressures”.
In a written response this week, DWP Pensions Minister Laura Trott MP, said: “The Christmas Bonus is an annual, tax-free lump sum payment to pensioners and to working age people who are in receipt of certain qualifying benefits during the relevant week which is usually the first full week in December. The Government remains committed to providing support to pensioners and others who receive the payments and has no current plans to revise the arrangements.”
