‘DWP won’t access your bank account’ MPs reassure

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will not be able to directly access people’s bank accounts, MPs have reassured.

Many people have feared that the fraud, error and debt bill – designed to tackle benefit fraud – would give DWP too much access to claimant bank accounts.

How will the fraud, error and debt bill tackle benefit fraud?

The bill will let DWP:

• investigate suspected fraud more effectively
• recover debts from those who can repay but haven't
• require banks to share details that could reveal potential benefit overpayments

DWP will not have access to anyone's bank accounts, nor will they share personal data with outside parties.

Staff will also receive training, and new measures will be introduced to protect vulnerable individuals.

‘Limited info only’

Labour MP Andrew Western has confirmed that the measure will only allow banks to share limited information with DWP to check eligibility and identify any problems with benefits.

Western highlighted some key points:

• DWP won’t access individual bank accounts.
• Checks will confirm the correct level of benefits.
• Human agents will make any final decisions about entitlements.
• State pensions are not included in these measures.

A simpler system

Full details about the bill, including safeguards, will be shared in Parliament.

The information commissioner’s office will make sure the bill follows data protection laws.

We want to see:

• strong protections so those who are accidentally overpaid don’t face unfair penalties
• a simpler system so everyone who qualifies for support knows they should claim it

Our director of external relations, Sebrina McCullough, says:

“We await the full detail of the legislation, but suggest at this point that it is more likely to harm vulnerable people than it is to prevent large-scale fraud.”

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