Labour Proposes DWP Power to Raid Accounts in £7.3bn Benefit Fraud Crackdown, Sparks Privacy Concerns

Oct 21, 2024, 11:34 AM

The UK Labour government is proposing to grant the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) new powers to access individuals' bank accounts and deduct funds directly in an effort to crack down on benefit fraud, which cost taxpayers a record £7.3 billion last year. Liz Kendall, the shadow work and pensions secretary, is leading the initiative to reform outdated measures and prevent fraud. The proposed measures would allow the DWP to take money directly from bank accounts and wage slips, prompting concerns over privacy and government overreach. Critics argue that granting the state the power to access bank accounts without a court hearing is dangerous and could set a precedent for further intrusion into personal finances.