The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is moving towards the possibility of searching properties owned by benefits claimants. The DWP has stated that its staff will have the authority to apply to court to suspend driving privileges of fraudsters, provided the debt exceeds £1,000 and repeated requests for repayment have been disregarded.
The Labour Party government’s benefits department’s serious organised crime investigators are also anticipated to receive powers to apply for search warrants from a court. This would mark the first time they could assist police in conducting searches of premises.
Staff members will also have the ability to confiscate items such as computers and smartphones as evidence against those committing fraud. The Bill alone is projected to save the Department an estimated £1.5 billion over the next five years.
It forms part of broader government plans to save a total of £8.6bn over 5 years in the most significant welfare fraud and error budget package in recent history.
Labour explained that this new legislation is being introduced after the government inherited a flawed welfare system, with fraud and error in the social security system currently costing taxpayers around £10 billion annually. Since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled to it, reports Birmingham Live.
The legislation arrives as the government is determined to introduce measures aimed at revamping the health and disability welfare system, part of its Plan for Change. It seeks to enhance support for individuals to find and keep employment while also addressing the escalating costs of welfare.
Anticipated proposals for reforming the health and disability benefits system are due this Spring, it further noted. The Bill’s provisions will be guided by principles of fairness and proportionality, with Labour emphasising that “the priority is always to negotiate affordable and sustainable repayment plans,” and these powers should only be invoked “as a last resort.”
Moreover, Labour has confirmed that powers of “entry, search and seizure” will be afforded to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) personnel in instances where serious organised crime is suspected.