DWP CHRISTMAS BONUS

This House notes with concern that the Department for Work and Pensions Christmas bonus paid to benefit claimants has not been up-rated since it was introduced in 1972 and remains at £10; further notes recent reports that the bonus is being discontinued under universal credit; highlights that, according to the House of Commons library, £10 cash paid in December 2018 is worth 78 pence in December 1972 prices, and therefore the value of the Christmas bonus has declined by 92 percent since 1972 in RPI-adjusted terms; believes that the payment has already been made to claimants; further notes that Christmas is a particularly expensive time of year for families on low incomes; and calls on the Government to up-rate and reinstate the Christmas bonus for claimants of universal credit and the legacy system as soon as possible before 25 December 2018.