![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_dwp2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nControversial new powers will apply to three specific benefits<\/p>\n
15:05, 05 May 2026Updated 15:43, 05 May 2026<\/p>\n
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The DWP has controversial new spy rules.<\/p>\n
DWP officials will be able to check details of bank accounts belonging to state pensioners under controversial new rules.<\/p>\n
It will relate to low-income households who claim Pension Credit.<\/p>\n
New ‘spy’ powers will force banks to share bank account information with the DWP.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Rachel Reeves confirms new rule for state pensioners with incomes over \u00a335,000<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Get the latest court and crime news direct via our WhatsApp community here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This will happen where there is suspicion of fraud or wrongful payments.<\/p>\n Ministers say it will help to tackle billions wasted in benefit fraud every year.<\/p>\n New powers will be focused on three benefits – Universal Credit<\/a>, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Pension Credit.<\/p>\n The targeting of Pension Credit comes despite the support being massively underclaimed.<\/p>\n The Government would pay out much more if everyone who is eligible actually claimed it. Close to a million eligible over-65s don’t claim.<\/p>\n Officials will be able to check details such as savings and other forms of income, to see if someone qualifies for benefits they say they do.<\/p>\n DWP also says it will flag up cases where there are errors much sooner.<\/p>\n Concerns have been raised around privacy, with critics claiming it’s a step too far from the Government.<\/p>\n READ MORE: ‘Charming’ town an hour from Birmingham among best places to live and ‘it doesn’t come prettier’<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n A DWP spokesperson said: \u201cOur Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill includes an Eligibility Verification Measure which will require banks to share limited data on claimants who may wrongly be receiving benefits \u2013 such as those on Universal Credit<\/a> with savings over \u00a316,000.<\/p>\n \u201cAs well as tackling fraud, the new powers will also help us find genuine claim errors sooner, stopping people building up unmanageable debt.<\/p>\n “This measure does not give DWP access to any benefit claimants\u2019 bank accounts.\u201d<\/p>\n Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, has warned the DWP around the use of the powers.<\/p>\n