I have just been given £10 by the Goverment,what shall I do with it?

[Invictas]

The Goverment has just given me the Christmas Bonus,all of £10 I am completely overwhelmed!
Just what shall I do with it?
In case you think I am mean,read this:~

"When it was launched by Ted Heath's Tory government in 1972, the bonus payment was worth £98 in today's money.

The £10 Christmas boost was then worth more than the £6.75 basic state pension. The basic pension is now £95.25 a week"

Quite frankly I think it's a bit of an insult,like the 25p a week increase to the state pension when you reach 80!

[mike11111]

I think it's an insult. Everyone should show their contempt by refusing to accept it and send it to me.

[Invictas]

Ah but mike,I can only send it to you if you are over 60?

[mike11111]

I am, 61.

[Invictas]

Oh,foiled again.
Will you take it in Mongolian Ulangs?

[factor-fiction]

I suppose it's been superseded now by the much larger winter fuel payment.
Even at just £10 it is quite expensive- I don't knwo how many pensioners get it- maybe 15 million so the cost is £150 million a year.
But if it were scrapped people would complain that the Tories//Libs were hitting pensioners

[ttfn]

Invictas - not sure what your circumstances are but you could always try the lottery or give it to a charity. What you have never had...;o)

[Invictas]

No ttfn,
£10 is £10,and I shall use it.
My point is,why have sucessive governments not increased it in line with inflation?
Yes,I get the Winter fuel payment,but that only pays about a quarter of my overall fuel bills.

[factor-fiction]

The winter fuel payment is pretty substantial though- it never used to be paid and is much better than the £98 Christmas Bonus you are asking for.
Most of us don't get any winter fuel payment. It seems generous to me
If you got a £98 bonus would you say " but it only pays for one quarter of the cost of Christmas?"

[sandyRoe]

Give it to a charity of your choice. Or have it on Stokemaverick's 4 horses for today?

[haysi06]

Buy more Heinz Soup :P

[Invictas]

Ah thank you haysi06.
I think Sainsbury's still has the offer going,so I shall pop out now and blow the whole lot on Heinz Cream of Tomato!LOL

[haysi06]

That sounds like a plan, but mind your feet if it's slushy out :P

[Invictas]

haysi06,
In London the snow never seems to lay for long.
Most of the pavements were clear yesterday,and now are just wet.
I have to be careful not to get lured into Harrods on the way to Sainsbury's.
My £10 wouldn't go anywhere in there! LOL

[starone]

Well, Invictas, don't be tempted to give it back. It's difficult enough to get anything out of them as it is. That measly little amount is supposed to buy all your Christmas goodies for you. Fat chance! And as for the 25p that is indeed risible!

[bobbie22]

I had forgotten about the £10 Christmas bonus. It will be paid in the bank so I would not have thought of it if I had not seen it on here. I am quite grateful for it to be honest (and the £250 winter heating allowance) However, i did work for 45 years so I feel quite pleased with it.

[boxtops]

For those of us not drawing our age-related pensions - do you get it in with the pension payment? I get my WFA but I'm not taking the pension yet as I am still working.

[bobbie22]

You get the 250 in a separate payment into the bank,and they send you a letter stating that it will be paid in. If you are married you get 125 each, provided you are the correct age!

[boxtops]

Yes, I get my WFA - it just popped into my bank last week, no letter, I wondered what it was until I saw the magic letters on my bank statement! I just wondered about the £10, you only get it when you actually start drawing the pension?

[Invictas]

boxtops,
Well,mine goes in direct to my bank account(which I check online) but it shows up as a seperate payment.
It is has CB next to it to let you know what it is.