The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will examine bank accounts as part of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill that is presently making its way through the Houses of Commons and Lords in order to determine the amount of money that individuals have and how they are using it. Concerns have been voiced regarding the potential extent of this practice, though.
Earlier this month, Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was questioned by Tory MP Nigel Mills regarding how the powers will be used. According to a report by Wales Online, he was questioned about whether bank accounts of all State Pensioners would be examined.
The DWP has stated that there has been a “great deal of scaremongering” about the new measures, as various sections of the Bill have been questioned and rumours have been spread. It has been verified, meanwhile, that it will only be applied in situations where fraud or error is suspected.
The Mirror reports that the DWP boss stated: “There has been a great deal of scaremongering about what exactly these powers are about. I can make it categorically clear from the Dispatch Box that these powers are there to make sure that, in instances where there is a clear signal of fraud or error, my department is able to take action. In the absence of that, it will not.”
Meanwhile, in a House of Lords debate held before Christma
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