DWP 'refuses' to increase £10 Christmas bonus after Winter Fuel Payment axed

A petition for the Department for Work and Pensions to boost the £10 Christmas bonus has been "refused". The new Labour Party government is refusing to increase and hike the £10 Christmas bonus, according to petition creators, ahead of the festive season.

Shona McMahon, who launched the campaign, said: "Christmas is the most expensive time of year! Pensioners, the vulnerable, and people like myself, disabled, could do with an extra boost at this time of year, especially as the energy assistance has been axed.

"The excuse would probably be that we are getting the £300 cost of living payment. For many of us, that payment goes out on bills the same day it goes into the bank, so there is no chance of it lasting till Christmas!

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"This isn’t asking for ‘just another handout’. This is for those of us that don’t have an option to earn anything extra." Shona said: "The renewed interest in the petition this week has been astounding! I had wanted to promote this before the election to highlight it, was even meant to go down to The Sun debate but I’m afraid to say I had a bereavement.

"If you watched the BBC News programme or read the article you would have seen my soulmate Hedgehog (Hedgie) on my journey with me. She took poorly for a time & in her best interests I had to take devastating decision to have her euthanised so I hope you can understand my not being able to continue at that time..

"Now, let’s get this petition to where it ought to be!" Signing the petition, one said: "The new Labour Government is hell bent on looking after their union managed voters at the expense of the elderly. This is not democratic. Since Labour have gained power I will be losing the Winter fuel payment (£600), and what seems to be the reduction in this year’s annual pension increase (from £900 to £400) and this amount will be taxable. Get a brain Labour and look after the people who have helped this country for their whole lives.

"I suggest the Chancellor put herself in the position of pensioners who do not have private pensions or work related pensions and work out how how she would survive." A second said: "I can remember the £10 when my grandparents were alive and my parents were nowhere near retirement age. Now they have all passed and I’m the pensioner!"