4 godzin temu
The Department for Work and Pensions is seeking expanded powers to check benefit claimants' bank account details as new legislation progresses through Parliament. The proposals would allow verification of eligibility for Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Pension Credit recipients, with potential to extend to other benefits.
Under the proposed measures, DWP investigators could directly recover funds from bank accounts of individuals owing money to the department. The agency would require at least three months of bank statements before taking such recovery action, with individuals receiving prior notification.
Martin Hartley, Group Chief Commercial Officer of business consultancy emagine and member of the Bank of England decision maker panel, supports the expanded verification. "The eligibility verification measure is an important step in ensuring support reaches those who genuinely need it," Hartley said. He argues that rigorous testing should cover household income from all sources, including "savings and assets, outstanding debts, and other benefits or allowances they may be receiving."
Former Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall defended the measures as part of tackling fraud. "We are turning off the tap to criminals who cheat the system and steal law-abiding taxpayers' money," Kendall said. She described the initiative as part of an "ambitious programme for government" with a focus on outcomes.
DWP Pension Push
Separately, the DWP launched a Pension Credit Week of Action encouraging eligible pensioners to claim payments worth hundreds of pounds annually. The department highlighted that 1.3 million pensioners already receive fuel bill support through Pension Credit, but thousands more remain eligible for additional benefits including housing support, energy assistance, and free NHS services.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
