'Suspicionless' bank accounts will be checked by DWP - claims

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has defended new powers for benefits staff amid fury over the so-called 'snooper's charter' plans

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), alongside the newly-formed Labour government, has been put under the spotlight due to new legislative powers being granted to benefits staff. These new measures will enable DWP personnel to demand banks disclose information about individuals receiving benefits.

Labelled a "snooper's charter" by detractors, this move has ignited considerable controversy. Big Brother Watch, a privacy and civil liberties NGO, is leading a joint protest against these enhanced surveillance plans. They've penned an open letter addressed to Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, advocating for the abandonment of what they see as intrusive scrutiny into personal bank accounts under the guise of thwarting welfare fraud and error.

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Supported by more than a dozen other NGOs, including Privacy International, Age UK, and Disability Rights UK, Big Brother Watch cautions that this strategy bears striking resemblance to previously thwarted Conservative Party propositions aiming for widespread bank account monitoring. The collective outcry is encapsulated in their statement: "Imposing suspicionless algorithmic surveillance on the entire public has the makings of a Horizon-style scandal – with vulnerable people most likely to bear the brunt when these systems go wrong," and emphasizing, "Pensioners, disabled people, and carers shouldn't have to live in fear of the government prying into their finances."

Confirmation of these new capabilities emerged last week, with further specifics anticipated from government functionaries and MPs as more regulations are etched out. Despite the growing backlash, the DWP has issued a response.

A spokesperson for the DWP refuted the allegations, stating: "These claims are false. These powers will be used appropriately and proportionately through robust, new oversight and reporting rules, and our staff will be trained to the highest possible standards. The information provided by banks is unrelated to DWP algorithms and any signals of potential fraud will always be looked at comprehensively by a member of staff."