A petition demanding an increase to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Christmas Bonus has gathered over 24,000 signatures ahead of the 2026 payment rollout. The petition, hosted on Change.org, calls on the Labour government and the DWP to revise the bonus amount, which has remained at £10 since its introduction in 1972.
The petition highlights the need for the bonus to reflect current inflation rates, noting that £10 in 1972 equates to approximately £113.18 today, according to calculations using the Bank of England inflation tool. It points out that aside from a temporary increase to £70 in 2008 during the financial crisis, the Christmas Bonus has not been uprated in over five decades.
It argues that the £10 sum falls short in supporting pensioners, disabled individuals, and vulnerable people during the costly Christmas period, particularly given the recent removal of energy assistance. The petition also challenges the adequacy of the £300 cost of living payment, noting that for many recipients, this amount is immediately allocated to essential bills, leaving little for festive expenses.
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The petitioner emphasises that the request is not for a handout but a necessary adjustment to help those without the option to earn additional income afford a proper Christmas celebration, including presents and meals.
Currently, the Christmas Bonus is a tax-free payment to people receiving certain benefits such as the state pension or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) during the first full week of December. However, claimants on Universal Credit alone are not eligible.
Since its inception, the bonus was not paid in 1975 and 1976, reinstated in 1977, and apart from a one-off extra payment of £60 in early 2009 as economic support following the financial crash, it has remained unchanged. Despite ongoing calls for uprating, the DWP has confirmed the Christmas Bonus will remain at £10 in 2026, though it continues to offer larger payments through other benefit schemes for some recipients.
The petition’s organiser urges supporters to share the campaign widely to amplify calls for the bonus to be increased in line with inflation, reflecting the true cost faced by vulnerable groups during the festive season.