Christmas Bonus

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.

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.

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.

For £10? You'll be lucky!

I will spend mine on prawns!!

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.

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

I retire in mid January. When I was told that I only had 12-18 months left (I was supposed to fall off my twig by April 2024) I was determined to be here to claim my pension. I can’t believe that I will be able to. 😂

I get my stte pension weekly so I just get an extra £10 added one week. I have had my winter fuel payment

Mine is going to Kevi Sinfields efforts for MND charity.

Crikey , the moaning on here is totally unbelievable! Just be grateful for it! Think of others in the world who don’t have this tiny luxury!

Ikiesgranma I'm very pleased for you, and I hope you receive your well-deserved pension for a long time to come 🎉

Mine hasn’t arrived, I can’t honestly remember ever having had it, but I must have! I’m on AA and a Pensioner. Perhaps we don’t get it in Wales?

No Bluebelle you are not alone, not had mine either. I shant bother to query it if I don't get it.

Farmor are you talking about Northern Ireland as I was referring to Southern Ireland about the X-rays prescriptions etc etc

Ahh not just me then that’s not received anything yet I looked last night nothing gone in as yet

£10 will run to a book of Second Class stamps at 8 for 6.96p and that leaves me 3.04p........mmm, mustn't spend it all at once!

I’ve blown mine in the Lindt shop yesterday 16 chocolates for £10.80. Never been in the shop before but why not.

Ikiesgranma sending you my best wishes for a healthy future in which to enjoy your pension. Good luck.

Just looked and it’s gone in with my pension that’s why I hadn’t seen it so others who think they haven’t received it look in your weekly or monthly inbox

I bought yarn with mine and I’ll make dog blankets for Battersea cats/dogs home.

Ikiesgranma - love and hugs.

It certainly gave me a chuckle when I looked at the bank statement. I remember it being introduced, a blatant attempt to get votes.

Quercus

It certainly gave me a chuckle when I looked at the bank statement. I remember it being introduced, a blatant attempt to get votes.

As of December 2025, the £10 Christmas Bonus, first introduced in 1972, would be worth approximately £119.12 in real terms if it had kept pace with inflation. This calculation is based on the Bank of England's inflation data up to September 2025. Different inflation calculators provide slightly varying estimates, but most are around this figure.

😀

In 1972, when the £10 Christmas bonus was introduced as a temporary measure, the basic State Pension was £6.75 per week for a single person and £10.90 per week for a married couple.

Inflation was running at over 7%. The payment was in response to that.

Hansard:

hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1972-11-20/debates/8045acf6-13a4-45ef-b345-901e78282305/PensionersAndFamilyIncomeSupplementPaymentsBill

Farmor, thanks for your comment. I too worked for the state but not for my whole career, hence have the State Pension and a partial public service one. I don't pay for health care in general, but have insurance for when I want to see a private consultant or to have a private room in hospital.
It's all working well for me and I am grateful.