Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the need of pensioners who are taxpayers for the £10 Christmas Bonus.

The Christmas Bonus is paid to both pensioners and working age people who are in receipt of certain qualifying benefits, it is not just an old age benefit. Recipients include some of the most vulnerable members of society. In most cases the bonus is paid automatically with whichever qualifying benefit an individual receives, which ensures administration costs are kept to a minimum. The Government remains committed to helping both pensioners and others who receive these payments.