Overview

• The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill has passed the Commons and reaches Lords report stage on 15 October, with government estimates of about £1.5–£1.6bn in savings over five years.
• New DWP guidance confirms State Pension accounts are excluded from bank checks and cannot be added later, with initial checks focused on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance.
• Financial firms will receive Eligibility Verification Notices to flag limited eligibility indicators rather than provide transaction histories, with potential penalties for oversharing data.
• A phased test‑and‑learn rollout starts in 2026, and DWP expects to identify 50,000 to 100,000 overpayments each year once fully implemented.
• Campaign groups label the powers intrusive and pensioners report fear, while the Regulatory Policy Committee says impacts on vulnerable people and bank administrative costs are understated.