Benefit payments up: Hey big spenders

Here’s the good news: Social welfare payments, as promised in last October’s Budget statement, will be higher this week.

That means there will be more help for those receiving state pensions, for the jobless, and for households with young children.

Can the Government, which misses no opportunity to point to the country’s recovering economy, expect much in the way of cheers from duly grateful voters, more than 16% of whom are living below the poverty line?

The answer must be no, since the pension, dole, and child benefit payment will increase by a less than eye-watering €5 a week. It will be enough to buy an extra few litres of petrol, a bottle of plonk, or local beer, as an additional treat, and almost — but not quite — a decent joint of beef.

We are sure readers will find this age-old and wise advice unwarranted, but we’ll offer it anyway: Don’t spend it all at once!