The DWP is to begin continuous surveillance of the bank accounts of all pension credit, universal credit and employment and support allowance claimants using powers under a bill currently going through Parliament.  The department have said that they intend to use their new power to force any third party to pass on data to them more widely in the future.

The power to compel third parties into providing any data that the DWP wants in order to search for fraud and error is being conferred in last minute amendments slipped into the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which has now passed its third reading in the Commons and moved to the Lords.

Initially the DWP say that they will use their powers to oblige the UK’s top 15 banks to monitor the accounts of all means-tested benefits claimants and report every time an account goes over the  capital limit or is used abroad for more than four weeks.

Because every DWP payment into a bank account has an identifying code attached to it, all banks know exactly which of their customers is on benefits and which benefits they receive.

Setting up software to automatically send details to the DWP of every claimant account that goes over the capital limit or is used abroad for more than four weeks will be very straightforward for banks.

The DWP say that each identified claim will be investigated in the normal way and that penalties will not be automatically imposed.

At the moment, almost 9 million claimants would be caught in the surveillance net, including:

  • 5.8 million universal credit claimants
  • 1.6 million employment and support allowance claimants
  • 1.4 million pension credit claimants

Any bank failing to collect and pass on data to the DWP will be subject to heavy fines.

 The new system will begin to be rolled out in 2025, though all banks may not be fully involved before 2030.

The DWP estimates that it will cost around £30 million a year for them to investigate potential fraud identified by the new system, but that they will save £500 million a year through reduced fraud and error.  

They also estimate that over the first ten years, the new powers will result in 74,000 prosecution cases and 2,500 custodial sentences.  

There is no doubt that the DWP intend to use these new powers much more widely.  The impact assessment for the new powers says that:

“The power is not limited to a specific type of data or type of institution/Third-Party to allow us to fight new fraud and error issues as they emerge and engage with new institutions as efficient opportunities become available to us.”

Later, the same document says: 

“This measure is drafted broadly . . .  to enable DWP to apply this measure to non-financial organisations in future if it is deemed appropriate and proportionate”

The new surveillance powers for the DWP appear to enjoy cross party support. Only 51 MPs voted against the amendment, with 30 of those being SNP and just 7 each from Labour and the Lib Dems.

Anyone who imagines that the DWP will use such sweeping powers reasonably and proportionately probably hasn’t ever claimed benefits.

And they probably also don’t remember the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which was brought in to combat terrorism and organised crime and ended up being used to spy on dog walkers, pigeon feeders and people putting out their wheelie bins too early.

Capital and abroad fraud account for less than 15% of benefits fraud and error. The DWP will want to delve into many other aspects of claimants lives in order to identify the other 85%.  This is, beyond doubt, the thin end of a very thick wedge.

You can download a copy of the amendments to the Data Protection and Digital information Bill here.  The Power To Require Information For Social Security Purposes section begins on page 98.

You can read the impact assessment for the DWP surveillance powers here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I worked as a senior Charge Nurse in Mental Health for over 30 years.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I am wondering how banks will distinguish between claimants on contributions based ESA and IR based ESA? The savings limits don't apply to contribution based and potentially anyone moving savings via their current account will be flagged up. Many savings accounts require you to nominate a linked current account and withdrawals are sent to that account. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 months ago
      @Prudent For SG, the payment size as EDP is only paid for IR claimants.  Not sure about WRAG claimants though.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Kc It will because banks will send them details of your balance. They will then add a part to the report that automatically adds up all your accounts. Everything will be done on database analysis. It's all automatic once setup. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @KennG The amount of fraudulent benefit claimants pales into comparison compared to white collar crime in the UK.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Cjmp45 I'm not sure how it could work if each person had their capital spread across a few declared bank accounts.  Their proposed trigger shouldn't work.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @KennG Sadly this is how it used to be. My dad threw them out of the house after an older sister in between work tried to claim ‘dole’ in the 60s to help the family as money was tight. 

      He told them to stick their money and he’d do even more hours to keep the family going - was already working 70 plus hours a week. 

      Those days you worked every hour you could get regardless of childcare issues or disability. 😢
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    Stephen Timms, Labour MP raised this matter in parliament last week. He seems to think that it's not just Pension Credited Pensioners they will be spying on but all State Pensioners. I don't agree with them spying on anyone, but I guess they can at least make a case for means tested benefits, but what fraud can a normal pensioner be committing? Surely their pension is their's to do with as they see fit and has eff all to do with any Government!

    I have felt spied on for the last several years whilst being in the unfortunate position of being on ESA. I finally get my SP at the end of this month and was actually starting to feel less stressed knowing I was free of the DWP and it's machinations, but oh no, this pops up out the ruddy woodwork. How dare they do this to law abidiing citizens. Why is no one fighting this.

    Where is my right to look into their shady bank dealings, because I can guarantee you there are more of them on the fiddle than there are pensioners.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 months ago
      @Kc I have applied, but they won't confirm if you are entitled until after your 66th birthday. So no actual confirmation as to whether or not I will get it, although as I am in receipt of PIP daily living which gave me SDP on my ESA I think I should. Also you are right. I am on cloud 9 this morning. I just sent the DWP's a message on my FB Feed, Lily Allen's F**k You.

      My heart breaks though for all those poor sods still being put through this heinous system, spied on, judged and generally looked down on.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @TwistedWitch Make sure you claim Pension Credit Guarantee Credit on top of your State Pension if you were previously receiving income based ESA.  I'm sure your mood will improve once you're not being made to prove you're too sick to work.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @TwistedWitch Steven Timms also said that DWP could use this new idea to check pensioners that were entitled received AA who currently don’t- yeah cos DWP are caring like that NOT! What he failed to say is that there are still a lot of pensioners who don’t claim because they are too proud or were brought up to think claiming was shamefull How will DWP differentiate there? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @TwistedWitch 100 % agree
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I fail to see how this could get through the house of lords. They will be granting the government acces to their own bank accounts, given most of them will be in receipt of state pension
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    We need to stand up to this invasion of privacy and making disabled people second class citizens. They have no right to assume we are guilty, and trounce through our bank statements. This is immoral and it needs to be stopped before it happens. People have a right to privacy, people have a right to being treated fairly, but this government seem to think we are nothing but scum and as such can't possibly have feelings or brains to feel the injustice in this. We need to work together to get this abhorrent act nullified and sign a petition to let them know we won't stand for this.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Helen I agree why are we allowing ourselves to be trod over
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    What about foster carers whose income is disregarded for universal credit purposes.  Also those of us who are the appointee for a family member for their PIP that gets paid into my bank account.  That isn't my income it is for my family member but would flag up as my income.  I also look after money for someone who can't manage their money so I have their money in my account as well which gets paid to them throughout the month!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @siobhan As appointee I assume the benefit is flagged on your account with the other person's NI number so this would show it was not your money and should be disregarded. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    This country is turning into a full on dictatorship. Should not be allowed as we are entitled to some privacy. Clearly not where the government are concerned. Makes me sad/angry what this country has become 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    My partner and I are both wrinklies and she gets full PIP and PC so our joint account will be one of the ones targeted. Wonder what they will make of all the small donations to anti DWP campaigns.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    This of course is subject to Human Rights Laws

    Article 7 No punishment without law

    1 No one shall be held guilty of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a criminal offence under national or international law at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the criminal offence was committed.

    2 This Article shall not prejudice the trial and punishment of any person for any act or omission which, at the time when it was committed, was criminal according to the general principles of law recognised by civilised nations.

    Article 8 Right to respect for private and family life of the Human Rights Act

    1 Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.

    2 There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

    Article 14 Prohibition of discrimination

    The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.

    Basically Discrimination against people who through no fault of their own have to claim benefits to survive. After all no one else is liable to bank account monitoring before the event are they? therefore its discrimination on the grounds of status.
    I don't believe they can make it stick.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Rok All They already can apply to inspect any claimants bank accounts they want to.   But this means they will be getting extra help by the banks themselves flagging up accounts for inspection 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    Thank you for your message re this petition, I am pleased to provide the following link:

    https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/650940
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I have just made a claim for NS ESA. 
    Can anyone please explain the legal justification for accessing my personal private bank records, when I am claiming a non means tested benefit, so it doesnt matter what my savings are?
    Surely I should be able to sue my Bank if they allow access in this instance? 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Cece Contribution Esa is not means tested and you can work whilst claiming it under their support for a max £ and hours. 
      You could have a million pounds in your bank and claim contributions Esa and pip BUT if you have a private pension they deduct your Esa after so much a week.   Esa also stops when you reach state pension age. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Fred I suppose they’d be watching for wage like payments above the limit 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @heatons True but it’s the principle of the big brother state creeping slowly in that should be fought against surely?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Cece Im not sure thats correct? Whats the threshold then? I thought that they didnt take your (bank account) savings into account, if you are claiming NS-ESA?
      (I could be wrong?)
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Cece Contribution based ESA is not means tested - at least at the moment anyway!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    It’s an invasion of privacy and I can’t see how this bill will get passed , haven’t DWP hit yo have proof of fraudulent activity in order to prosecute ? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 months ago
      @Wiggles So what we can still stand up
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 months ago
      @Ton Yes it would it’s a bigger plan for mass surveillance it’s nowt to do with fraud they already have powers to investigate that 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Ton @Ton and if the Gov didn't defraud the system (contracts for friends not fit for purpose equipment, tax evasion, fraudulent expenses claims) the country wouldn't be in the mess it's in and wouldn't need to keep vilifying all benefit claiments. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Ton True but it’s the principle of the big brother state creeping slowly in that should be fought against surely? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Jules Sorry but as stated by B&W it has already passed through Parliament. It's gone to House of Lords now? Jenny Jones, Green Party said in House of Lords "Look at the government's plans to actually spy on the bank accounts of those receiving benefits... It really is a new low in this government's constant vile behaviour"

      "Never in our history has the government intruded on the privacy of anyone's bank account without any good reason. And now we're treating all people on benefits as potential criminals"

      "If MPs think this is a good idea, then why don't we ask them to go first? With all the cases of corruption, second jobs and undeclared incomes, would MPs be ok if the banks had the ability to raise red flags on their accounts? That does seem to make sense doesn't it? Just test the system before we use it on other people"

      For once I actually agree with the Green Party's stance on this.  Video clip on 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    As usual, the government efforts to persecute the few against going after the many is beyond contempt. If only the same rules were applied to MP’s bank accounts 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Mike Jones I think they are persecuting the many to get to the very few, estimated at 15% I think, who are breaking the rules. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I have started a petition to oppose the government access to our bank accounts, which is live. They are constantly denying and destroying our freedoms, the majority of people are honest, genuine members of our society and should not be treated as criminals. Their actions also subject us to private data breaches, which so often is the case with our government. Please sign the petition to make your feelings known. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I've no doubt this is one for the courts as it's spying on people and privacy and it wouldn't take much for them to judge how much you can spend.. This isn't Russia or China and will cause a backlash from charities and law firms.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Sandra Bowes-Rennox No it isn’t china or Russia but we are headed that way . Soon they will bring in the credit style system where your access to services depends on your status  in  society . If you have debts or are in low pay job or unemployed you will be at the bottom .
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Sandra Bowes-Rennox not spying at all
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    Everyone here stating they will take money out in cash in order  to keep some privacy .. you do know they want a cashless society? Oh and digital id and cbdc which can be programmable (they dictate what it's spent on)   Use cash wherever possible now and refuse all the above and educate others 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Haydn How many of those upstanding, law abiding MPs have bank accounts abroad? Bet my life that most of them do…
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Rebecca Not sure how you define ‘they’. Those at the very top currently move millions around undetected. London is known as the money laundering capital of the world, at least for the wealthiest or ruling classes. ‘They’ certainly do not want a cashless society! 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I've nothing to hide but on principle I'm going take my money out and leave just my bill and spending money in there,I've worked most of my life,was taught to save,and now they don't want you too,big brother can stick it you know where. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 months ago
      @Pete bluewinkle. Hear hear Pete
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @DarrenSharrocks Well according to the deputy pm at that time when they took disabled out of the warm homes scheme and gave back £150 for cost of living said that disabled get pip etc to pay for heating so they don’t need additional help 😡.    So just tell them gov said you can pay bills with it. 

      My sis got told she shouldn’t be using her pip for food and normal bills by a case manager at pip as it was to pay for disabled things.   My sis said if you were earning a good wage previously and could no longer work how else was she expected eat ? The case manager changed the subject quickly.   
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Andy I would suggest sharing the DWP plans to check your accounts and encourage using cash to all your social media accounts so all your contacts can spread the word. The only way to try and stop this is to get this info out there and make people think long and hard about who to vote for at next election 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Pete bluewinkle. If you choose to buy something that appears suspicious you will have something to hide. 

      This falls under Shirley: 'A Shirley exception is a mythical exception to a draconian law, so named because supporters of the law will argue that "surely there will be exceptions for truly legitimate needs" even in cases where the law does not in fact provide any'.

      https://issuepedia.org/Shirley_exception 

      If you read the BBW report you'll find more info on this matter, including but not limited to the retention of Biometric Data and how that data is held/stored/used. This has been wrapped up in the Data Protection and Digital Information 2.0 Bill: 

      https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DPDIB_Report-Stage_Amendments_Final.pdf 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Pete bluewinkle. I know of 2 claimants who have been questioned by compliance officers as to why they had withdrawn cash and what had they done with it.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    If you're wondering how the DWP would be able to check all those bank accounts, it's so easy. The information technology has been revolutionising the world gradually. All it takes to achieve this is to design a software, which doesn't take much both in terms of money and time, set and assign parameters such as from what amount of capital to report, link it to bank accounts, and then the software would feedback on any account exceeding the defined capital level to a DWP (computer) server.

    Similarly, for instance, in normal times, each of us used to receive their ES50 form when their time to be reassessed came, yet no DWP staff checks and keeps an eye on the files of each of us. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @A And its the thin edge of the control that the Corporatistas and their political placemen/women want have over all lives. Most people are not on benefits and therefore the idea is an easy sell for the politicians. Then, once established, a central bank digital currency is introduced and the surveillance state expanded to include all Bank accounts. This will effectively create a financial surveillance state and deprive the privacy of all. Resist this or regret.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @A actually if the amount you have in your account goes over a certain amount then HMRC inform DWP as you may be asked to pay tax on it just the same at happens now  and if account used abroad then   itwill be flagged to DWP that all quite simple and quite right
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    If it happens,  stand up!   This is a clear infringement of my human rights.   I am furious 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Patsy Well obviously all the parties knew about this and did NOTHING 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Patsy Unfortunately it’s not just the Tories. Labour and Lib Dems didn’t stand up against it either.  Let’s hope the Lords kick it out. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Patsy Remember that other political parties want this as well so it won't make a difference which party is in power.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @Patsy Who do you vote for when most of the Parliamentary Labour Party agrees with this? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @JAMES BLONDE We need to be standing up before it happens not when it happens as then it will be too late to stop it. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 months ago
    I think if a person is on a means tested benefit they can do what they like.  A friend of mine used the term "citizen slaves".  I thought she was exaggerating, but it would seem that is becoming true.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @lesley At the end of the day they want everyone off benefits and working full time and keep themselves.  Sadly many disabled can’t do this.  But many people can and do work to stay off benefits. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 months ago
      @lesley Sadly it's always been true. And though we're called citizens, this is only a slight change of title, courtesy of Blair. Strictly speaking in legal terms we are subjects and only have rights when those in power say we have, in other words we don't really enjoy inalienable rights, except perhaps through the European Convention on Human Rights, which of course is another thing which the Tories want to take away. Certainly most of those doing paid work are wage slaves.

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