The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is preparing to conduct bank account checks on individuals who are NOT claiming benefits, thanks to new powers granted by the Labour Party government as part of a crackdown on benefit fraud.
The DWP said: “DWP’s serious organised crime investigators are also expected to be handed powers to apply to a court for search warrants.
“It means that for the first time, they will be able to support Police and search premises and seize items such as computers and smartphones as evidence against fraudsters.”
The benefits department continued: “DWP will also have the power to recover money directly from bank accounts of those not on benefits or in PAYE employment who owe the Department and refuse to pay up, despite having the means to do so.”
Speaking to Sky News, Employment Minister Alison McGovern said: “At the moment we can get money back through the benefits system – if people are claiming Universal Credit or other things – we can get money back through PAYE, through HMRC.”
“But for some people, if they’re really determined not to give that money back, and they’re not on benefits or on PAYE, then we need the ability to take that money from bank accounts. And finally, if they really still are so determined that they won’t give the money back we will apply to the courts to disqualify them from driving.”
“That’s a power that already exists in the Child Maintenance Service, so we know it works.”
These powers will be implemented via Schedule 6 of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, reports Birmingham Live. This section grants the Government the authority to apply to the court for a driving disqualification.
Courts can also impose driving licence suspensions if they are convinced that “the liable person has, without reasonable excuse, not paid the recoverable amount.”