Aberdeen MSP Kevin Stewart has called on the UK Treasury to increase the £10 Christmas bonus that has been in place for 50 years.
The SNP member for Aberdeen Central has sent a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, to finally increase the £10 bonus first adopted by Prime Minister Ted Heath in 1972.
It was made permanent in 1979 but has always remained at the value of £10, and has not risen in line with inflation.
Had the payment risen with inflation for the past 50 years it would now be worth £108.20 in line with the Bank of England.
Had it risen according to the Retail Price Index it would now be worth £159.46.
The bonus did rise to £70 in 2008 during the financial crash but has since dwindled year after year.
‘Fifty years of inflation have reduced the value of that bonus massively’
Mr Stewart says that the increase for families this year would give them a chance to “afford Christmas” amid the cost of living crisis.
He has also called for the bonus to be extended to those claiming Universal Credit.
Mr Stewart said: “The ability to celebrate Christmas will be beyond the financial means of many households this year, and £10 is not going to be enough to change that.
“When you look back at when the Christmas bonus was introduced, £10 was a lot of money, and it gave people a chance to enjoy themselves at Christmas.
“Fifty years of inflation have reduced the value of that bonus massively.
“The payment was first introduced to help people during a time of high inflation, and as we see that once again the case for an increase is clear.
“I hope that the UK Government will consider this, and allow people who are struggling to have some joy this Christmas time.”
Conversation