§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of increasing the pensioners' annual Christmas bonus to the equivalent of one week's state pension. [186567]
§ Malcolm WicksThe cost of increasing the annual Christmas bonus to the #quivalent of one week's state pension in 2005–06 is estimated at £1.0 billion.
Notes:1. Figures are in 2004–05 price terms rounded to the nearest £100 million.2. The bonus is assumed to be paid at the full category A weekly rate of basic state pension, currently £79.60.3. The Christmas bonus is currently paid to people in receipt of a number of qualifying benefits, some of whom are of working age. These people are assumed to receive the Christmas bonus at the new rate.