UK Government Plans Driving Bans for Benefit Fraudsters

The UK government is set to introduce the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, aimed at tackling benefit fraud through measures including the potential suspension of driving licenses for those who refuse to repay fraudulent welfare payments. Under the proposed legislation, individuals with welfare debts exceeding £1,000 could face driving bans of up to two years if they ignore repayment requests. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will gain new powers to recover funds directly from bank accounts and request financial information from banks, though it will not have direct access to accounts. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the need for greater consequences for fraudsters, while also noting that the measures will include safeguards to ensure fairness. Critics, including privacy advocates, have raised concerns about the potential for invasive surveillance and the risk of legitimate claimants facing undue scrutiny. The government estimates these efforts could save taxpayers approximately £1.5 billion over the next five years.