UK Government to Expand Powers in Welfare Fraud Crackdown

New legislation aims to save £1.6 billion by granting investigators authority to deduct funds directly from wages and bank accounts.

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.