DWP plans new powers to monitor bank accounts for fraud crackdown

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the UK is facing criticism for its proposed 'intrusive' anti-fraud measures under the Labour Party's Fraud, Error and Debt Bill, which is set to be enacted later this year. The bill will grant the DWP new powers to monitor bank accounts of benefit claimants to recover debts, leading to concerns that it could extend surveillance to 'everybody’s' accounts. Experts, including Jasleen Chaggar from Big Brother Watch, have warned that this legislation could result in generalized surveillance, impacting not only benefits recipients but also individuals who act on their behalf. While the DWP insists that it will not have direct access to bank accounts, critics argue that the data-sharing requirements could infringe on privacy rights. The DWP's efforts aim to address rising benefit fraud, which has surged to £9.7 billion in 2023-24, with Universal Credit being the most affected. The Labour government claims the measures will form the largest crackdown on fraud in a generation, projected to save £1.5 billion annually by the end of its forecast.