Overview

• FOI disclosures reveal that the DWP will use bank transaction descriptions and amounts to assess claimant earnings, savings, and housing costs, adjusting claims retrospectively if necessary.
• The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the exact months in 2026 when bank checks will begin for Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and Employment and Support Allowance.
• The Fraud Bill introduces safeguards, independent oversight, and Codes of Practice, which will be developed with stakeholder input to ensure fair and effective use of the new powers.
• A phased 'test and learn' rollout will be employed to monitor the proportionality and effectiveness of the measures before full implementation.
• The DWP is scaling up its operations by hiring thousands of staff to review claims and enforce anti-fraud measures across targeted benefits programs.