DWP Christmas bonus increase petition

Christmas Cheer or Christmas Sneer? DWP's £10 Bonus Gets a Holiday Makeover!

Thousands are signing a petition to boost the DWP Christmas bonus from a paltry £10 to over £100. Will the festive spirit prevail?

Every December, for over fifty years now, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been spreading a little holiday cheer by awarding a measly £10 Christmas bonus to those receiving certain benefits. This annual gesture is meant to brighten the season for benefit claimants, but many are questioning if it's still a gift worth giving. With inflation skyrocketing and the cost of living rising, a speedy petition has emerged calling for the DWP to raise this decades-old bonus, which critics claim has become 'practically worthless'.

Launched in October 2023, the petition has garnered considerable attention, amassing over 15,000 signatures and counting! The push for change asserts that the bonus should be increased to a more substantial £100, an amount that would reflect the economic reality faced by many individuals. Specifically, the bonus is available to pensioners as well as recipients of benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, and more. Given the mounting pressure from rising living costs, advocates believe raising the bonus could provide a significant boost to those in need.

Critics of the current bonus argue that £10 is not nearly enough to make a difference in anyone’s festive budget. With rising energy bills and grocery prices, asking for more than a fiver doesn’t seem too much, does it? Backed by overwhelming public support, petitions like this aim to shove the holiday card envelope into the DWP's mailbox and demand a much-deserved increase. Given the urgency of the matter, it's a wonder why the DWP hasn’t reacted to the cries for help. Are they living in a winter wonderland while recipients are dodging snowballs of debt?

With the bonus typically disbursed during the first week of December, the clock is ticking for the DWP to take action ahead of this year’s festivities. Many supporters argue that as we celebrate Christmas, sharing joy through increased financial support can work wonders for the community spirit. On that note, did you know that the tradition of Christmas bonuses dates back to the Roman Empire? Additionally, according to recent studies, 1 in 5 households in the UK report having to rely on benefits to stay afloat during the holiday season. Wouldn't it be something if the DWP would step up to the plate and make a real change this Christmas?