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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:
dessicatedblackbird · 04/12/2023 20:15

Tax evasion/loopholes takes more from the state, but no one is looking at them.

GetYourBaublesOut · 04/12/2023 20:15

a lot of very rich people claim the state pension.

And you can bet your bottom dollar they will find a way to be excluded from this.

Original poster
LeRougeEtLeNoir · 04/12/2023 20:16

User136921 · 04/12/2023 20:13

It's a good thing if it stops fraud

If it was about ‘fraud’ and ‘benefit fraud’, they wouldn’t have included state pension or PIP.

Dont be naive. It is not and never was about fraud.

OP posts:
thisfilmisboring · 04/12/2023 20:16

Starlightstarbright2 · 04/12/2023 20:11

They already have information . My Uc they know how much I earned every month anyway .

I have nothing to hide however doesn’t mean I want the government looking for no reason .

it is chilling how many people are willing handing over control to the government

it is also amazing how much people worry about benefit fraud . Look at the ridiculous expenses of mps , all the loopholes - the rich and companies use to save billions .

you are been blindsided.

Just because people worry about benefit fraud, doesn’t mean they don’t worry about the other things you mentioned.

Keep seeing people writing this.

It’s not an either-or situation people can be worried/angry about both

User136921 · 04/12/2023 20:17

You can fraudulently claim pension credit if you have a state pension

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/12/2023 20:17

TheKnittedCharacter · 04/12/2023 19:49

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

I never understand this argument. I do lots of things which aren't illegal or immoral but I'd rather no one watched me do.

It's the same as the CCTV argument, "well if you have nothing to hide". What if I want to scratch my arse, blow my nose, get my knickers out of my crack, find my bra strap? All legal, not immoral, not a spectator sport.

Privacy isn't something to give away without a thought.

GoodlifeGlow · 04/12/2023 20:19

Christ no, but then I was amazed when the majority of the country happily complied with lockdown after lockdown.

If you have learnt nothing in the last 3 years it’s that we should not willingly give the government more power than they deserve. I want less government oversight not more.

GetYourBaublesOut · 04/12/2023 20:19

Privacy isn't something to give away without a thought.

100% this.

ASGIRC · 04/12/2023 20:20

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

But they can seek a warrant and then look.
Why should they have automatic access?

I would not be happy with it, no.

Original poster
LeRougeEtLeNoir · 04/12/2023 20:20

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 thin’ you are naive to think they’ll use that for CM. They could have done that years ago seeing that all incomes are declared to the DWP, incl those from dividends.

Fraud: they dint need access to accounts from pensioners then. So why?

People who don’t pay taxes. Well either they are under the threshold (poorest) or dodge the taxes (richest). The second group is unlikely to get benefits though, unless they are pensioners. So their accounts won’t be looked at…..

OP posts:
Allaboutme23 · 04/12/2023 20:21

No and I wish we could all oppose. So 1984 Big Brother and designed to draw in potential fools to vote Tory, to be seen tough on benefit cheats, they can’t declare tough on crime because it’s lawless society due to cut backs, to mismanagement of our taxes, council taxes.

Original poster
LeRougeEtLeNoir · 04/12/2023 20:21

User136921 · 04/12/2023 20:17

You can fraudulently claim pension credit if you have a state pension

Then it’s a different benefit that is mean tested….
Not the case fir everyone. Many pensioners do not claim pension credit.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 04/12/2023 20:23

Surely it's a good thing, I assume from your post that you take a lot rather than give. But for the rest of us tax payers it will stop fraud and mean that there is more money to share.

mantyzer · 04/12/2023 20:23

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.

I agree, this is why they want access.

catotangent · 04/12/2023 20:25

TheKnittedCharacter · 04/12/2023 19:49

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

That's really not the point is it. Can't you see that? The wider implications. Hmm

MistressoftheDarkSide · 04/12/2023 20:26

It's going hand in hand with the move towards a cashless society and the ability to control and "nudge" behaviour by controlling our money.

I predict within 5 years we'll be running on a similar social credit system to China. The authorities in Canada tried it all out with the truckers protest.

If the government was truly interested in better management of benefits, for example, instead of letting families be uprooted and destabilised for rent arrears , they wouldn't let them be evicted and spend thousands a week funding temporary accommodation instead of helping pay extortionate rents to landlords.

Add in the idea of carbon credits and penalties for not being "green" enough and voilà - complete control.

Look up Rishi Sunaks enthusiasm for CDBC.

Honestly this is the tip if a very dodgy iceberg.

ScremeEggs · 04/12/2023 20:27

@underneaththeash
Surely it's a good thing, I assume from your post that you take a lot rather than give. But for the rest of us tax payers it will stop fraud and mean that there is more money to share

I'm.a taxpayer, I don't claim.anything.
Couldn't disagree with you more.
Chilling how so many people would willingly hand over their privacy.
I've got nothing to hide either, but it's a slippery slope if you're going to hand over your freedoms and privacy.
Totally agree it should be the rich included too, but that's never going to happen, is it?
Better to go after the vulnerable, easy targets 😡

Original poster
LeRougeEtLeNoir · 04/12/2023 20:27

I predict within 5 years we'll be running on a similar social credit system to China.

Exactly what came to my mind too.

OP posts:
catotangent · 04/12/2023 20:27

But they can seek a warrant and then look.
Why should they have automatic access?

I would not be happy with it, no.

Exactly. 👏🏻

AlwaysGinPlease · 04/12/2023 20:28

underneaththeash · 04/12/2023 20:23

Surely it's a good thing, I assume from your post that you take a lot rather than give. But for the rest of us tax payers it will stop fraud and mean that there is more money to share.

This.

If people are getting money for doing fuck all, then it should absolutely be monitored. Anyone worried has something to hide.

BeyondMeasure · 04/12/2023 20:28

LeRougeEtLeNoir · 04/12/2023 20:27

I predict within 5 years we'll be running on a similar social credit system to China.

Exactly what came to my mind too.

What is their social credit system?

ScremeEggs · 04/12/2023 20:28

Anyone worried has something to hide
Load of bollocks.

Original poster
LeRougeEtLeNoir · 04/12/2023 20:29

AlwaysGinPlease · 04/12/2023 20:28

This.

If people are getting money for doing fuck all, then it should absolutely be monitored. Anyone worried has something to hide.

Show quote history

Are your parents who receive their state pension people who are getting money doing fuck all and therefore people who should absolutely monitored?

Have you told then that too?

OP posts:
CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 04/12/2023 20:29

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

Are they planning on using it to enforce child maintenance? I didn't think they were.

StarDolphins · 04/12/2023 20:29

I’m ok with this, I have nothing to hide.

Swipe left for the next trending thread