Overview

• The Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will modernize the Department for Work and Pensions' powers, which have not been updated in 20 years.
• Investigators will be able to recover debts without a court order, directly from bank accounts and pay slips of those who overclaim benefits.
• The bill will extend information-gathering powers to compel all private companies, not just banks, to provide data on suspected fraudsters.
• Privacy advocates have raised concerns, calling the measures 'Orwellian' and a threat to civil liberties, though officials insist there will be oversight.
• The legislation is part of a broader effort to address the £10 billion annual cost of fraud and error in the welfare system.