Government Seeks Expanded Authority for Surveillance of Individual Bank Accounts

2023-12-04 19:20:57

State Inquiry into Citizen Bank Records Proposed

The UK government is considering an expansion of its authority, enabling it to routinely scrutinize the bank accounts of individuals claiming social security benefits. This step is aimed at intensifying the fight against fraud while motivating individuals to rejoin the workforce. The initiative, detailed in the Autumn Statement, would affect child benefit, universal credit, and state pension claimants.

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To ensure accuracy in claims of financial status, benefit recipients could see their bank accounts subject to monthly or weekly examinations. Presently, the Department for Work and Pensions must separately request banking information when fraud is suspected.

Officials suggest these measures could save approximately £300 million annually by 2028-29. There are currently about 5.4 million individuals receiving benefits while out of work. Universal credit claims are prohibited for anyone with savings surpassing £16,000, with alleged losses of £900 million per year due to overpayment.

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Parliamentary Concern Over Privacy

Stephen Timms, Labour MP for East Ham and chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, voiced alarm in the Commons regarding what he called “extremely wide powers” likely to be granted to ministers within the Department for Work and Pensions.

Asserting that the proposal was introduced “with zero scrutiny,” Timms emphasized robust worries about potential privacy implications. He cited the Child Poverty Action Group, which argues that benefit recipients should not have diminished privacy rights.

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Timms expressed bewilderment at the government's intent to significantly expand its ability to intrude into private citizens' affairs. “I’m increasingly puzzled as to why the government thinks this is an appropriate way to act,” he remarked, critical of the notion that the government could inspect bank accounts irrespective of any wrongdoing without individuals being informed.

According to Timms, the proposed legislation is indefensible, citing the government's apparent inability to justify it. A video featuring his speech, shared on social media by user Farrukh, garnered substantial attention, highlighting widespread interest in the issue.

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