Measly Christmas bonus slammed

A local Liberal Democrat has slammed the government for its measly Christmas bonus. Pensioners have been awarded a Christmas bonus of just £10 this year - the same amount as when it was introduced almost four decades ago.

Labour Ministers have been branded Scrooges by Hinckley and Bosworth's Liberal Democrats parliamentary spokesman Michael Mullaney.

Michael said "When it was launched by Ted Heath's Tory government in 1972, the Christmas 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.

Michael continued "The measly Christmas bonus is a slap in the face for local pensioners.

"What was once a valuable additional benefit is now nothing more than a joke.

"When it was brought in, a pensioner could buy Christmas dinner and still have money left over. Today it wouldn't even buy you the turkey."