Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to give some officials in her Department greater access to claimants' banking data; and if she will make a statement.

As set out in both our Fighting Fraud Against the Welfare System publication, published on 19 May (link below) and the supporting Written Ministerial Statement, when parliamentary time allows, we will legislate for powers to require the transfer of data from third parties (e.g. banks) to enable the department to identify potential fraud more proactively, such as where claimants might have savings above the capital limit.

We believe this measure is necessary and proportionate to protect taxpayers’ money and prevent crime. We recognise that we must balance this with people’s right to privacy and we will therefore ensure the power is appropriate and no more than necessary to address the problem.

Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)