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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are you happy for the government to automatically have the ability to have a look at your bank account?

350 replies

LeRougeEtLeNoir · 04/12/2023 19:37

So the government wants (and very likely will get) the ability to look at the bank account of anyone receiving

  • UC
  • a pension
  • child benefit
  • PIP etc…
How comfortable are you to see them been able to do that? Even though a pension or child benefit isn’t income related so there is no fraud to tackle. And they won’t tell you about it either. I mean that’s about every single one of us there.

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/new-legislation-gives-government-permission-to-snoop-on-your-bank-account-364408/?fbclid=IwAR3XA89weQHzsIEN7A2TSigPcWM183fGKTkH7ByaainNVTcgeR8e0RXAr24

New legislation gives government permission to snoop on your bank account

A clause in the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill hands the DWP power to inspect the bank accounts.

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/new-legislation-gives-government-permission-to-snoop-on-your-bank-account-364408/?fbclid=IwAR3XA89weQHzsIEN7A2TSigPcWM183fGKTkH7ByaainNVTcgeR8e0RXAr24

OP posts:
RochelleGoyle · 04/12/2023 19:39

Child benefit is income related.

Iam4eels · 04/12/2023 19:39

It's disgusting. They should only be able to do so where there is probable cause and a warrant has been obtained via the courts not just "because". There is huge potential for it to go wrong in so many ways and ultimately it will only serve to punish vulnerable people for the crime of being vulnerable.

Christmasapple · 04/12/2023 19:40

No I’m not and I’m concerned about what they’re looking for? Do they have a say in how we spend the money?

Koalatreats · 04/12/2023 19:40

Hope they do the same for absent parents claiming they earn a tenner a weeks.

rwalker · 04/12/2023 19:42

Why would they be interested I’m presuming benefit fraud it it helps tackle that and stops some of the 6.5 billion we loose every year it a yes from me
There welcome to look at mine

Christmasapple · 04/12/2023 19:43

Is it a case of checking there’s not an undisclosed salary being paid in or savings above the threshold or will it be more detailed than that?

everybluesock · 04/12/2023 19:44

Yep, I think it's good for the following reasons:

  • parents who say they can't pay child maintenance
  • people who are trying to cheat the system
  • people who don't pay tax
SgtBilko · 04/12/2023 19:45

I think they should continue as they already do, i.e. have good reason and have to apply to look.

Fairylightfurore · 04/12/2023 19:46

With any invasion of privacy eg phone records etc very specific conditions must be met so unless they have good reason to believe someone is a benefits cheat etc then no

TrashedSofa · 04/12/2023 19:47

Christmasapple · 04/12/2023 19:43

Is it a case of checking there’s not an undisclosed salary being paid in or savings above the threshold or will it be more detailed than that?

Wouldn't be relevant for some of those payments. State pension and PIP for example are not income related, so there'd be no need to have the right to check anyone claiming just one of those.

Mothmansknickers · 04/12/2023 19:48

It's none of their business, unless they have probable cause, which is what they use now. Why change it? Millions go unclaimed every year will they look up those people and ask them why they're not claiming?

Badbadbunny · 04/12/2023 19:48

Yep, doesn't bother me, nothing to hide.

As a self employed person, HMRC already have the power to inspect my bank statements if they open a formal tax enquiry/investigation into my affairs, which is something they can do randomly.

If self employed/business owners have to provide bank statements with no evidence of any wrongdoing, then benefit claimants should be subject to the same!

TheKnittedCharacter · 04/12/2023 19:49

I have nothing to hide, so it wouldn’t bother me.

Mothmansknickers · 04/12/2023 19:50

@Badbadbunny People on benefits are already under scrutiny. Not sure why this is being brought in.

keffie12 · 04/12/2023 19:50

No I'm not

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/12/2023 19:50

Precursor to press releases and statements in parliament that these older people are hoarding cash and don't need money for heating, as they're buying M&S meals and presents for grandchildren.

And, naturally, the 'they claimed PIP but bought shoes (for their kids) and got their nails done (because it's almost impossible to get podiatry referrals now, so a pedicure at the salon is the only way to get care) with it' type of shite.

Doubleespresso33 · 04/12/2023 19:50

I withdraw all my money in cash once my rent, council tax and gas/elec go out so they wouldn’t get far with me 😂

hattie43 · 04/12/2023 19:50

If it stops any kind of fraud then it's a good thing .

SutWytTi · 04/12/2023 19:52

Nope, they should have to get a warrant.

Mothmansknickers · 04/12/2023 19:52

I wonder if people would allow cameras into their homes because, they have nothing to hide? There're already checks for people on benefits. Why we feel the need to attack the poorest in society, I have no idea.

Happyhippy99 · 04/12/2023 19:53

More than happy. Hopefully it will stop fraud. If you’ve nothing to hide why would you object ?

SutWytTi · 04/12/2023 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MarathonBarbie · 04/12/2023 19:55

No I’m not happy about it, the way I feel about most of what this government does. Overreach, and combined with several of their other ‘ideas’, including those around Human Rights, pretty bloody sinister.

Naptrappedmummy · 04/12/2023 19:56

everybluesock · 04/12/2023 19:44

Yep, I think it's good for the following reasons:

  • parents who say they can't pay child maintenance
  • people who are trying to cheat the system
  • people who don't pay tax

I agree.

To be treated like adults the public must act like them. As it is, they’re like children, shirking their responsibilities and spending money they don’t have. Anything that forces more accountability is fine by me.

Sisterpita · 04/12/2023 19:58

DWP already report state pension and other benefits to HMRC, employers and pension providers use PAYE reporting to notify HMRC of your income. Banks and financial institutions already report savings interest to HMRC.

What isn’t reported is cash in hand and transactions sitting outside the existing structures.