Overview

• Under the legislation, investigators could request banking information for people on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit to verify eligibility.
• The DWP would not have direct access to claimants’ accounts, and any move to cover additional benefits would require Parliament’s approval.
• Officials could seek data from third parties such as airlines to identify potential breaches where benefits are claimed from abroad.
• Persistent refusal to repay welfare debts of £1,000 or more could result in driving bans of up to two years as a last‑resort sanction.
• If suspected of fraud, claimants may have payments paused, be interviewed under caution, be ordered to repay or face penalties of £350 to £5,000, with some benefits reduced or stopped for up to three years on conviction.