Once again the Govt (and DWP) are using accusations of benefit fraud to gain access to private information of benefits' recipients;

Proposals are afoot to allow banks to access *all* accounts held by people on benefits to check eligibility claims alongside an enhanced recovery mechanism to bypass courts (making appeals more difficult).

Benefits fraud (incl.DWP overpayment!!!) is approx £8.5bn.

The benefits bill is over £250bn, so fraud actually is not a major problem...

#benefits

h/t FT