DWP driving licence cancellation for benefit claimants, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will use new powers in November to cancel the driving licences of benefit claimants. The government department can now take people on benefits off the roads as part of a major crackdown on benefit fraud and debt.
Officials have been handed sweeping new powers to try to recover money. The powers began being used in October and allow officials to check bank accounts and even make direct withdrawals.
Banks will be required to comply with DWP requests for information.
Banks will be asked to look for details such as how much a person has in savings or other undeclared income. They will also be instructed to look for benefit claimants who may have hidden or undeclared savings, which the DWP describes as a major reason for benefit fraud.
The department also wants to identify claimants who have remained abroad for longer than the rules allow while continuing to receive benefits.
The DWP can also suspend driving licences of people who are not engaging with the department or paying back what they owe. The powers can target claimants of Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Minister for Innovation, Fraud and Debt Lilian Greenwood said: “Benefit fraudsters should be looking over their shoulder. These new powers will help us crack down on those who deliberately abuse the system, while ensuring people receive the right support at the right time.”
Greenwood added: “We are not interested in where people do their weekly shop or how much they’re spending on new clothes. Banks will simply be asked to identify if somebody may no longer meet the rules for the benefits they receive, allowing us to investigate further where necessary.”
Greenwood said the measures are expected to deliver “£1.2 billion in savings expected by 2030/31,” calling it “a major step forward in tackling fraud and error, protecting public money and ensuring support goes to those who genuinely need it.”
