DWP Proposing To Scrutinize Bank Accounts?

HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY MAKE A FALSE PENSION CREDIT CLAIM?? Either you are old enough to be a pensioner- and thus be able to claim or you arent?- simple enough.

We won't all have our bank accounts snooped on. Have you read the thread? People on means-tested benefits may have their accounts scrutinised in case they are fraudulently claiming (presumably by not declaring savings or income). I don't like it, but it isn't happening yet, and it's definitely not the same as everyone having people snooping into their bank accounts.

Nannan2

HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY MAKE A FALSE PENSION CREDIT CLAIM?? Either you are old enough to be a pensioner- and thus be able to claim or you arent?- simple enough.

No. A pension is based on age and contributions, but pension credit is based on income and/or savings. They are very different.

You can make a false pension credit claim by not declaring how much money you have Nannan. Simply being old enough to receive the state pension doesn’t entitle you to claim.

X post Doodledog.

Pension Credit Nannan2 is an extra benefit made to people already receiving their (DWP) pensions and very little else.
It would be possible to make a claim, however, if additional income wasn’t obvious - eg being paid in cash for other work, such as gardening, window cleaning, odd jobs - all gained by word of mouth and not declared.

X post GSM

Last week the Government "sneeked" an amendment into their Data Protection Bill which allows the to monitor the bank accounts of people who are not even suspected of crimes.

There appears to be no formal process. There does seem to besome suggestions that this will allow the government to also monitor the bank accounts of people in receipt of State Pension.

Is this in order to make the State Pension a means tested benefit? Can you think of any other reason?

They can only do this because of Brexit.

www.retailbankerinternational.com/news/bank-spying-clause-added-to-data-protection-and-digital-information-bill/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ8Zk2j8NT0

Parts of the DWP, in common with parts of HMRC, already have legal powers to scrutinise bank accounts should they suspect fraud is taking place.

Yet another click-bait headline to set people off.

For PaddyAnn - sure, "never trust a Tory". However, if you're putting your faith in ANY politician, any badge, the evidence from many years says that's shortsighted cum absolutely barmy!

Check out the MPs that have been jailed, a number of Labour people there. Any LibDems wanting to get on a squeaky-clean pedestal, well, have a think about Cyril Smith, David Steel and that lovable Jeremy Thorpe? Any Tories still wanting to claim the high ground, go and berate their members who gave us Liz serial incompetent Truss as PM, and put in place a system to stop THEM voting for anything ever again?!

This would be an additional power Cossy - at present DWP only have the ability to look at bank accounts when they have launched a formal investigation. This would enable the gathering of evidence in order to begin a formal investigation.

DaisyAnneReturns

Last week the Government "sneeked" an amendment into their Data Protection Bill which allows the to monitor the bank accounts of people who are not even suspected of crimes.

There appears to be no formal process. There does seem to besome suggestions that this will allow the government to also monitor the bank accounts of people in receipt of State Pension.

Is this in order to make the State Pension a means tested benefit? Can you think of any other reason?

They can only do this because of Brexit.

www.retailbankerinternational.com/news/bank-spying-clause-added-to-data-protection-and-digital-information-bill/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ8Zk2j8NT0

‘There does (sic) seem to be some suggestions’. Only by conspiracy theorists. Utter nonsense.

Cossy

Parts of the DWP, in common with parts of HMRC, already have legal powers to scrutinise bank accounts should they suspect fraud is taking place.

Yet another click-bait headline to set people off.

This is an amendment Cossy. Not an existing power. Could I suggest you do some research before you bestow your false accusations of "clickbait".

And yes, I am upset. With this undemocratic bill being passed!

techmonitor.ai/government-computing/data-protection-bill-digital-information-dwp-benefit-claimants

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/almost-9-million-claimant-bank-accounts-to-be-put-under-continuous-surveillance

www.independent.co.uk/money/new-data-powers-could-allow-dwp-to-snoop-on-pensioners-bank-accounts-b2455706.html

hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-11-29/debates/46EF0AA6-C729-4751-A3DA-6A3683EB8B87/DataProtectionAndDigitalInformationBill

www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/uk-data-protection-digital-information-bill

Will you still be saying that when they come after you Germanshepherdsmum

There is no reason for ‘them’ to come after me DAR. I claim the SP, nothing else and I wouldn’t qualify for any means tested benefits. My financial affairs are completely transparent and are handled by a chartered accountant. The DWP, HMRC, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all can have a look at my accounts and investments tomorrow if they want provided the law entitles them to. I have nothing to hide from anyone and never have had.

I agree with most of what's been said here. The problem is everywhere. I know of a family who have never worked not sure what benefits they are on, but the houses (3) are being paid for. They trail for miles in a DLA car to raid all the food banks, then hand it out to whoever wants it, and dump what they then don't want. They can afford to drink regularly and gamble. One of them even has a bidiein in her free house. Why can't the authorities see these things.

Last week the Government "sneeked" an amendment into their Data Protection Bill

According to Chris Byant, moving a motion to have the Bill re-presented, the government snook in more than one amendment😱

From Hansard:

On the last available day, 182 days after Committee, the Government brought out 240 amendments. Some are indeed minor and technical, but many are very significant. They strike to the heart of the independence of the new Information Commission, they alter the rights of the public in making subject access requests, and they amend our system in a way that may or may not enhance our data adequacy with the US and the European Union and therefore British businesses’ ability to rely on UK legislation to trade overseas. In some instances, they give very extensive new powers to Ministers, and they introduce completely new topics that have never been previously mooted, debated or scrutinised by Parliament in relation to this Bill, which already has more baubles on it than the proverbial Christmas tree. The end result is that we have 156 pages of amendments to consider today in a single debate.

hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-11-29/debates/46EF0AA6-C729-4751-A3DA-6A3683EB8B87/DataProtectionAndDigitalInformationBill

It's worth reading the whole speech. If it's nothing else, this is an example of the government's determination to avoid proper parliamentary scrutiny of proposed legislation.

What would their bank accounts show, though, Bella? Most people who live like that are probably 'below the radar' and deal in cash rather than putting things through the bank.

I don't receive benefits, and 'have nothing to hide', but I hate the idea of anyone knowing where I spend my money and on what. Even my husband doesn't know that (although I would tell him if he asked). If I want to spend all my money on gin and sausages, or donate to the Munchkin Appreciation Society that is my business.

Also, having 'nothing to hide' can change in a heartbeat if a dictatorship takes power, and the fact that these powers are on the books is very worrying.

The discussion in Parliament was about the fact that it would allow access to those only on State Pension too. Also that they would be able to sell the data. If that is true I'm sure they would mine yours quite happily Germanshepherdsmum.

I doubt many people on benefit "benefits" would feel they could object but I have spent the early part of this thread trying to reassure people that they would not have/would not want access to those just on State Pension. Now it seems they will.

Apparently, they are able to do this but would not have been if we were still in the EU. This is not about yours or anyone else's accounts being above board. It is about basic democracy and our civil rights.

Bella51

I agree with most of what's been said here. The problem is everywhere. I know of a family who have never worked not sure what benefits they are on, but the houses (3) are being paid for. They trail for miles in a DLA car to raid all the food banks, then hand it out to whoever wants it, and dump what they then don't want. They can afford to drink regularly and gamble. One of them even has a bidiein in her free house. Why can't the authorities see these things.

Are you sure? Really? I could unpick this apart, bit by bit, but just cannot be bothered. Oh, there is not such thing as a DLA car.
For those wondering, in among this nonsense; a 'bidiein' is a man to whom the woman is not married. Shock Horror

Also, having 'nothing to hide' can change in a heartbeat if a dictatorship takes power, and the fact that these powers are on the books is very worrying.

Precisely, Doodledog

I should have highlighted this bit of Bryant's speech;

In some instances, they give very extensive new powers to Ministers,

Thank you for your posts Maisie.

gosh, thanks HPQ.
i was composing in my mind why someone disabled might well have good use for a bidet.
just as well i left it.

It bothers me not one jot. However I hope it bothers some who, like the person I mentioned upthread, have more than one bank account for nefarious reasons, and those who deal in cash whose bank accounts don’t match their lifestyle.

Germanshepherdsmum

It bothers me not one jot. However I hope it bothers some who, like the person I mentioned upthread, have more than one bank account for nefarious reasons, and those who deal in cash whose bank accounts don’t match their lifestyle.

I know it doesn't bother you. Sadly it doesn't suprise me.