The DWP could also be able to directly take funds from people’s bank accounts
Sweeping new powers allowing the DWP to view people’s bank account details could be extended to other benefits. A bill is going through Parliament which includes new eligibility checks for certain benefits. This will involve the DWP contacting banks and other account providers, to request bank account information for people on benefits, to make sure they are eligible to get their payments.
The powers will initially be used to check the details of those on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit. But the bill mentions that this could be extended to other benefits.
Siobhan Blagbrough, financial crime expert at Ocean Finance, spoke about which other benefits the bank account checks could be applied to. She said: “With the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill set to introduce new powers for the DWP, there is a real opportunity to tackle fraud while keeping the system fair for claimants.
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“The eligibility verification measure starting with Universal Credit, ESA, and Pension Credit could be extended to other benefits that rely on income and household information, such as Child Benefit, Housing Benefit, and Jobseeker’s Allowance. Beyond checking income and employment status, verifying changes in household composition, savings, and other financial commitments could help prevent incorrect payments from slipping through.”
The bill also includes powers for the DWP to directly take funds from a person’s bank account, where they owe an amount and are refusing to pay up. The DWP can currently recover funds through deductions from a person’s benefit award or through the PAYE system, but with the new powers, they can target a person who has left the benefits system and still owes cash.
DWP estimates suggest the new bill could save the Government £1.5billion over five years. But Ms Blagbrough said there are genuine concerns about “misuse” of the new powers.
She said: “Any system that allows the DWP to directly reclaim funds from bank accounts must be handled carefully. Mistakes can and do happen, whether through outdated information, misapplied rules, or human error.
“There is a real risk that people could be wrongly identified as having received overpayments, and funds could be taken from accounts before a proper review has taken place. For people living on tight budgets, even a small deduction could cause real hardship.
“Transparent appeal processes and clear communication with claimants will be essential to prevent harm.” In announcing the bill in January 2025, former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, said: “We are turning off the tap to criminals who cheat the system and steal law-abiding taxpayers’ money.
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“This means greater consequences for fraudsters who cheat and evade the system, including as a last resort in the most serious cases removing their driving licence. Backed up by new and important safeguards including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight to ensure the powers are used proportionately and safely.
“People need to have confidence the Government is opening all available doors to tackle fraud and eliminate waste, as we continue the most ambitious programme for government in a generation – with a laser-like focus on outcomes which will make the biggest difference to their lives as part of our Plan for Change.”