Forum Topic

Do you want the government reading your bank statements?

I wonder how many people realise that the government is trying to pass legislation which will allow it to examine the bank accounts of anyone who receives any sort of state benefit -- and that includes the state pension. Not only will they not need your permission: they won't even tell you they're doing it.The bill passed the Commons a few days ago. It now goes to the Lords. I hope they have something to say about this as I find it quite sinister.Data Protection & Digital Information Bill.https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3430

Susan Kelly ● 532d14 Comments

Perhaps if the chancellor read mine,he might get some useful tips on how to balance the books on a limited budget.;-)

Keith Iddon ● 529d

What about all the benefits that could be claimed by people and aren't like Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance and the underpayments where credits have not been added and now aren't being paid out?  You don't hear much about them.  Some Govt forms are very long and difficult to fill out such as those that the Windrush generation can use if they can find or know the information required so many people need help with them.Age UK can be very helpful.www.ageuk/benefits-checkhttps://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/They also have an advice line: 0800 678 1602  free to phone 8am-7pm 365 days a year

Philippa Bond ● 530d

I say bycycle you say carIts a bit like that.DWP has means to look into your bank accounts anyway if they think something is wrong or your not being honest without you knowing. This i take it just makes it a lot easier for them to look.he DWP estimates that 3.9 per cent of benefits spending was overpaid during 2020/21, with £6.3 billion of the overpayments believed to be due to fraud, primarily arising from Universal Credit claims.

Julian Pavey ● 530d

But it may uncover tax evasion. It surprises me that HMRC knows how much I receive from my private pension, so that I don't need to look up the amount to declare it in my tax return, but I always have to declare how much I received by way of state pension.

Robert Fish ● 530d

The state pension is not a benefit but an entitlement.Everyone over retirement age is entitled to it at one level or another.I know that benefit fraud is a huge problem and should be cracked down on,but this seems way too intrusive.As Vanessa has said,the tax take from some companies and individuals should also be scrutinised as this would provide a huge amount of money.

Keith Iddon ● 530d

Two, indeed multiple, wrongs don't make a right. Tax law in the UK is overly complex and has so many loopholes that any good accountant could drive a coach and horses through it - sideways.a

N V Brooks ● 530d

'The problem is that benefit fraud is still rife (see current news stories). How can the government prevent this other than asking recipients to prove their finances (getting access to the data directly if the do not)?'Compared with tax evasion and avoidance this is a drop in the ocean, and you never, ever, hear about the millions in benefit that goes unclaimed every year. Never mind the benefits wrongly paid out though incompetence then demanded back from people putting them in financial chaos.

Vanessa Smith ● 530d

It supports what Michael Brown has been saying (I think)

Janice Evans ● 530d

The state pension is not means tested so snooping on the bank accounts of pensioners will not uncover benefit fraud.

Susan Kelly ● 530d

There is also a lot of underpaid pension money.https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/210000-pensioners-underpaid-5k-each-in-dwp-error-see-if-you-re-affected/ar-AA1l4oDmI wish they would spend more time and effort chasing some of the big money rather than concentrating on those who haven't the time or money to employ accountants or appeal.  I definitely thought they did get a lot of info automatically...

Philippa Bond ● 531d

The problem is that benefit fraud is still rife (see current news stories). How can the government prevent this other than asking recipients to prove their finances (getting access to the data directly if the do not)?

N V Brooks ● 531d

We’ll end up like South Africa soon! 😡

Georgina Flint ● 532d

Just about right for this lot, God forbid that they should pass a law to delve into the business and tax affairs of the great and (not so) good. Rees-Mogg for a start. They haven't got a bloody clue.

Vanessa Smith ● 532d

This is focused on poor people.Rich people and big companies can manage their affairs to minimise tax and to control evidence ordinary people haven't got time or money to do and so the targets of the Govt are on those ordinary and poor people particularly those who are receiving benefits and who are living hand to mouth.

Philippa Bond ● 532d