Christmas Bonus

Bluebell, I don't pay anything; I have a medical card.

Good for you I’m going to blow mine as well , not decided what on yet but I’m definitely going to treat myself. I am reluctant to donate to big charities because I doubt much if the money goes to the cause . Smaller local charities yes I do donate to.

I will spend mine on prawns!!

For £10? You'll be lucky!

if only the £10 increased with inflation since its introduction in 1972; if it had, it would be worth approximately £119 shame on governments for not doing this. Especially as this goverment is handing out large increases to other sectors in society.

MOnica, best response and made me laugh.
I also saw this once:-
Charity begins at home and stays there, when it goes out, it’s because it wants to brag about itself.

Gelisajams

I’ve been checking my bank balance this morning and I’ve just received my £10 Christmas bonus. Do we need this?
I think I’ll put mine in the food bank.
(No I’m not wealthy, have no savings, and live on my state pension and tiny private pension. I still have a mortgage to pay too.)

Fair play to you for donating it. That's the right energy.
But yeah, it's kind of ridiculous that the Christmas bonus has been £10 since 1972 and they've never adjusted it for inflation. If it kept pace, it'd be like £150+ now. It's basically a slap in the face at this point - costs them more to administer than it's worth to most people.

M0nica

No, 2 modest pieces of fish and one portion of chips was £13.50, cash only, at my local chippy a few weeks ago. £4.50 should get us 2 cokes.

Two pieces of fish, one portion of chips, one mushy peas from a fish and chip shop in the nearest town: £22
The same from a travelling van which visits villages: £18

Ireland's national health service is not free at the point of use across the board like the NHS. For example if you go to A&E without a GP referral there will be a charge of up to £100. You can go to an Injury Unit if your case is not life and death and get an Xray there. There are several other charges and many people choose to pay privately to avoid delays - like many European countries. In case of severe hardship the charges for things like Xrays in A&E can be waived.
Back to the subject - I don't need the tenner either to be honest but for thousands of people, ten quid is really needed. The list of charities that could do with it is endless or treat yourself - it's your money. Sadly I read that the UK is joint lowest in charity donations - it's weird when almost everyone I know (including hard up people) gives something or does something.

M0nica

Blow charities, I am going to go wild with mine (and DH's). We are considering a fish and chips supper, with a can of coke each.

Good for you Monica.

Even though it is such a small amount these days, it is a benefit that, as someone said upthread, cannot be taken away. At some point in the future, the amount could increase to something better reflecting today's prices, and the machinery for delivering it would already be in place.
I am sure that some people, perhaps those not so fortunate in their pension provision as many GN's seem to be, still find it useful.

Ours came today. I’m about to spend mine on Lemsip and strepsils which I reckon will take up most of it. Battling with a nasty cold and Trying to work up the enthusiasm to sort out the Christmas cards, not very successfully.

BlueBelle

Mine hasn’t arrived yet do I get 25p more for being over 80
🤣🤣🤣

Don't spend it all at once!

i got mine yesterday and i'm going to put £10 of petrol into my car. funds are tight especially at this time of year and so it will help my charity - me! sorry but for me charity begins at home.

That’s what I do too, a sum to the homeless shelter and some to the Dogs Trust, far better than me adding to Royal Mail profits

BlueBelle

Anybody else not had theirs or am I the only one, I m so upset and concerned !!!!!

Mine's not there yet either. I doubt it would pay for 3 days heating in my cold damp house but every little helps. Sadly after losing my casual job last year I've had to cut my charity giving this year and reduce the amount I save for my grandchildren. There's not much left to cut!

M0nica

Blow charities, I am going to go wild with mine (and DH's). We are considering a fish and chips supper, with a can of coke each.

Will £10 cover the fish and chips and a coke?
Maybe if you shared.

I've not received mine yet, I wonder why Rachel Reeves didn't decide to stop that as it is such an out of date payment. When it started it was worth something, nowadays it's barely enough to buy a large tin of chocolates. It would mean an extra £130 million in the treasury, a mere drop in the ocean of the country's finaces maybe, but every little helps.

Aren’t you meant to be in receipt of one of various other benefits in order to qualify for it?

My £10 was paid in with my weekly state Pension. Blink and you'd miss it.
My service change went up £50 in one swoop this week!! ..charity, on this occasion starts at home.

Thank goodness. I am a pensioner and need every penny of it .

Kate1949

We've had ours this morning. We usually give it to charity. I'm sure it's a little help to some pensioners.

Agree, it’s not much but it all helps🤞

I must admit, I thought it had been stopped. Not heard anything about it.

I'm going to spend mine on a bag of logs to keep me warm for a couple of days

I agree, I receive £22 a year, the £10 +25p a week because I am over 80, so that is £12 a year. I doubt if I would notice or miss it.