DWP bank account snooping powers could see people's partners monitored

James Rodger
·2-min read

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bank account snooping could be widened to claimants' PARTNERS, it has been warned. The DWP will be given new powers to snoop on bank accounts if it suspects fraudulent activity amid a strict clampdown.

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, currently going through Parliament, gives the DWP powers to monitor all bank accounts that are “connected” to the bank accounts of anyone receiving benefit payments, irrespective of whether there is any suspicion of wrongdoing.

Parliamentary undersecretary of state for the DWP, Viscount James Younger of Lecki, told the House of Lords last week that the DWP will use its powers to request information from banks and financial institutions on people receiving benefits.

READ MORE Virgin Media rolling out change for millions of TV viewers today and 'it's free'

Lord David Anderson, former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said that the DWP’s new powers had not been subject to detailed consultation or scrutiny and said: “If we do not get this potentially valuable power right from the start, it will immediately be subject to legal challenges, which will swiftly render it unusable."

And Conservative peer Lord Kammal said: “Putting additional onerous obligations on banks may make them decide that it is too difficult to provide accounts to those in receipt of benefits.” Silkie Carlo, director of campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: “This action by parliamentarians shows that opposition to bank snooping spans across all parties and both Houses of Parliament. The government must avert this disaster and drop their bank spying plans.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “This is an information-gathering power. It is not a surveillance power or an investigatory power. It requires third parties to look within their own data and provide minimal, relevant information to DWP only where this may signal that a claimant does not meet the eligibility criteria for the benefit they are receiving.

"DWP will not receive any data on the vast majority of claimants who comply with rules around benefit entitlements.”

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories

  • House Oversight Committee Hearing Goes Totally Off the Rails Thanks to MTG

    TwitterA House Oversight Committee hearing that was supposed to cover contempt proceedings for Attorney General Merrick Garland devolved into chaos and name-calling after repeated interruptions from a certain far-right representative from Georgia.Thursday night’s meeting was originally intended to advance a measure to hold Garland in contempt for refusing to hand over audio of President Joe Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. But it quickly fell off the rails, with Marjorie Taylor

  • Labour chief claimed £40,000 expenses to rent house next door

    Sir Keir Starmer’s election chief claimed more than £40,000 on expenses for rent on a constituency home despite owning the house next door.

  • 'A Jumped-Up Milk Monitor': Keir Starmer Mocks Rishi Sunak Over Rainbow Lanyard Ban

    The Labour leader went on the attack during angry PMQs clashes.

  • Labour may soon get its revenge on the SNP

    At last a Scottish politician has come up with a persuasive argument in support of Scottish independence.

  • Rishi Sunak’s threat of nuclear war failed to move voters, new poll reveals

    This week’s weekly tracker poll by Techne UK provides more bad news for the Tories

  • Post Office stripped of reporting agency role by Lord Advocate

    Dorothy Bain KC also sought to defend the Crown Office from suggestions it should have been more suspicious of Horizon evidence.

  • Israel's defense chief challenges Netanyahu on Gaza

    STORY: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was publicly challenged on Wednesday (May 15) by his own defense chief about his post-war plans for Gaza – or the lack thereof. In a televised statement, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed the need to lay the groundwork for alternative Palestinian rule at the same time as defeating Hamas. He said he had been pushing the issue since the conflict broke out in October following Hamas' shock attack – but has received no response from the Israeli cabinet."Unfortunately, this issue was not raised for debate and worse, an alternative was not raised in its replacement. Indecision is in essence a decision. This leads to a dangerous course, which promotes the idea of Israeli military and civilian governance in Gaza. This is a negative and dangerous option for the State of Israel strategically, militarily, and from a security standpoint."His comments mark the most vocal dissent from within Israel's top echelon against Netanyahu in the Gaza war.In a riposte that did not explicitly name Gallant, Netanyahu hinted that the retired admiral was making "excuses" for not yet having destroyed Hamas in a conflict now in its eighth month.But the conservative prime minister soon appeared to be outflanked within his own war cabinet.Centrist ex-general Benny Gantz, the only voting member of the cabinet other than Netanyahu and Gallant, said the defense minister had spoken "the truth".Gallant's criticism over Gaza echoes that of Israel's strongest ally, the United States.Washington has tried to give a role to the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority, which wields limited governance in the occupied West Bank.But Netanyahu has refused this, describing the Palestinian Authority as a hostile entity.On Wednesday, he repeated this position in a video statement within an hour of Gallant's remarks.Saying Hamas must first be eliminated before any move to create an alternative Gaza government, and demanding the goal to be pursued "without excuses".Netanyahu has said Israel would retain overall security control over Gaza after the war for the foreseeable future.Though he has stopped short of describing this as an occupation – a status Washington does not want to see emerge.

  • A 'Stop The Steal' Symbol Was Displayed At Alito's House In 2021

    The Supreme Court justice said the upside-down American flag was his wife's doing.

  • Putin queries political legitimacy of Ukrainian President Zelenskiy in absence of elections

    Russian President Vladimir Putin queried the political legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday when asked about the absence of plans to hold a presidential election in Ukraine at the moment. Martial law imposed after Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022 means Zelenskiy will not face an election when his term technically expires later this month, something he and Ukraine's allies deem to be the right decision to take at a time of war. When asked at a news conference in China during a state visit whether Zelenskiy's political legitimacy was becoming an issue, Putin, who was re-elected for a six-year term in March, said the matter was a question for Ukraine's constitutional court and political system to decide.

  • Britain has been shockingly silent on Royal Mail’s sorry fate

    In paving the way for a takeover of Royal Mail by the Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský, the company’s chairman Keith Williams said it was “regrettable that despite four years of asking, the Government has not seen fit to engage in reform of the universal service”.

  • India grants first citizenships under new law criticised for discriminating against Muslims

    Implementing CAA has been one of the key manifesto promises of Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party

  • Putin 'grateful' to Xi for trying to solve Ukraine crisis

    STORY: :: Putin tells China's Xi he is grateful for Beijing's efforts to try to solve the Ukraine crisis::Beijing, China::May 16, 2024::Vladimir Putin, Russian President: “I will of course inform the President of China on the situation around the Ukrainian crisis. We are grateful to Chinese friends and colleagues for the initiatives they put forward to solve this problem.”::Xi Jinping, Chinese President:“...We both agreed that a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is the right direction.”Putin arrived early on Thursday for a two-day state visit including detailed talks on Ukraine, Asia, energy and trade with Xi, his most powerful political backer and fellow geopolitical rival of the United States.The two leaders also oversaw the signing of several bilateral agreements in sectors such as trade and infrastructure.China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, triggering the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.

  • WASPI women could get compensation package this summer as date put forward

    The Department for Work and Pensions has been urged to present a compensation package for WASPI women before the summer recess.

  • Imran Khan seen for first time in nine months as he appears in court via video link

    Former Pakistan prime minister appears with frown on his face

  • PMQs sketch: 'Jumped up milk monitor' Rishi Sunak takes on Mr 'Soft on criminals' Keir Starmer

    Labour leader targets early releases of prisoners but the PM is keener to talk defence

  • Compulsory smart meters crucial to fight ‘real and growing risk’ of drought, experts warn

    Smart water meters must be made compulsory across all households to protect the UK against climate change, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has warned.

  • Royal Mail reform will not take place before general election, says Ofcom

    Postal service shake-up takes on extra weight as Royal Mail bosses meet ministers to discuss Czech tycoon’s £3.5bn takeover bid

  • Prince Harry could be on rare royal US visa, expert says amid questions over past drug use

    Royals can hold special document requiring fewer checks than typical diplomatic visa, immigration lawyer says

  • Man taken to hospital with burns after explosion rocks Dudley

    A MAN was taken to hospital after an explosion rocked Dudley yesterday afternoon (Wednesday May 15).

  • Keir Starmer blasted as Labour unveil slimmed-down pledges list

    THE public “don't trust a single promise” Keir Starmer makes, the SNP have said, as Labour unveiled a slimmed-down list of pledges ...