Government to require banks to do monthly checks on the accounts of people on benefits and report back

[IncompleteSenten]

I read about this here.

metro.co.uk/2023/11/06/benefits-claimants-to-have-bank-accounts-checked-monthly-in-crackdown-19779875/

Do you think they will do it or it'll be blocked?

It sounds awful. If I was on unemployment benefit I'd feel really humiliated. I understand fraud happens but bloody hell this is really not on.

Surely it would be more financially viable to do audits on the richest people in Britain to ensure they are paying their tax correctly

This is already done and has been for a long time. Interest, dividends, over seas income, it’s all checked and if anything is not declared or is falsified then huge fines are levied.

The ultra rich don't "own" much. It's all done through trusts.

@Janieforever a quick google suggests that money lost through tax fraud/avoidance is 6x that of benefit fraud. But sure keep punching down.

a lot of people who commit benefit fraud are in poverty and desperate. Can you say the same of tax fraud?

may help some to clarify what the Torys want to do

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/dwp-considers-powers-of-arrest,-seizure-and-collecting-information-on-where-claimants-spend-money

Meanwhile, in the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man...

aint that the truth

I think these proposals are disgusting, I was just reading about it and came across a petition against it

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/650940#:~:text=Petition%20Do%20not%20introduce%20regular,all%20benefit%20claimants%20like%20fraudsters.

if anyone wishes to sign

signed
i also think the general public need to look at the bigger picture as it would not surprise me if later on they start with the self employed then everyone else

I signed the petition. Hopefully we won't need it.

The Australian system sounds more like how bailiffs operate over here for recovery of debt. They can't take the debtor's tools of the trade, so at least the chefs and tradespeople can go on trying to make a living

(Ex CAB, the details may have changed, but somehow I doubt it...)

Same. Even if you've no sympathies with the particular group currently being affected, there's a bigger picture to also worry about. This added level of power and duty on companies that aren't democratically accountable to us is worrying.

The aim is to stop people with savings above £16k getting away with lying and still claiming benefits. I don’t see a problem with that myself.

However what riles me (more?) is the £37 BILLION the feckless government wasted on the pathetic track and trace, the ££billions wasted on HS2, immigration £millions per day, the whole energy meter crap, and so forth). It’s endless.

The government has a DUTY to protect the public purse - and that includes the benefit system as well as not wasting taxpayers money on the expensive billions on other outrageous stuff aforementioned.

@Jojamsh said:
The aim is to stop people with savings above £16k getting away with lying and still claiming benefits. I don’t see a problem with that myself.

AIUI, there are already adequate checks in place

Well, the government has a duty to protect the public purse. Savings are NOT always flagged up - and also the DWP has to then apply to check them out fully.

@SequentialAnalyst ps. Rolling eyes 🙄 at other posters is totally rude and not a
rational argument either. It’s just rude.

Totally agree.

But in that case, they need to start where the biggest impact can be made. And it is NOT by checking on people with disabilities/on UC.
Rather they should look at all the much richer people who evade taxes. Wo talking about all the loopholes that are never addressed (remember rishi’s wife not paying taxes in the U.K.?and the many MPs?)

I have to say I’m also wondering how much those checks will cost vs how much will be saved from paying benefits that shouldn’t be paid.

Because if it’s as efficient as the Rwanda stuff, you need to wonder what’s the point. And whether it’s in the interest if the tax payers.

@Jojamsh I often use hmm as an emoticon. No offence intended.

I thought your post rather ill informed, and gave a rational reason why I thought so. And then I posted succinctly, using an emoticon to indicate that I didn't think much of what you had said

I don't think you are supposed to be asking questions like that.

I asked the same question at the beginning of the thread but apparently the banks are all altruists and will do it for nothing. 🙄

Yet another attempt by this shitty government to demonise people on benefits.

i did watch the Autumn statement but couldnt see it mentioned Maybe I missed it does anybody know if it was bought up it was supposed to or have they hidden it it will not be the first time?

I have noticed in the autumn statement so far that the goverment have said nothing about checking benefit claimant's bank accounts on a monthly basis for fraud...hopefully they wont do this! I can only imagine the anxiety that it will cause in most claimants

Does anyone know if this has gone ahead?

Benefits fraud is tiny compared to benefits left unclaimed but they wont tell you that.