Officials will check the bank accounts of millions of claimants

The DWP is getting major new powers to check the bank account details of people on certain new benefits. Officials will order banks to hand over information about accounts linked to Universal Credit , Employment and Support Allowance, and Pension Credit. The checks are intended to make sure those receiving these benefits are eligible for their payments.

Also under the new measures, investigators will be able to directly take an amount from a person's bank account if they are owe cash and are refusing to pay up. Officials will have to request at least three months of bank statements for the account, to make sure they have the funds available.

The amount can be deducted as a lump sum or in regular instalments. Siobhan B

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