The Department for Work and Pensions could change bank account rules from next week under a major shake-up. The Telegraph reports the new law expected to be announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement next week, which Jeremy Hunt will deliver on Wednesday.
Under the shake-up, benefit claimants could have their bank accounts checked every month by the DWP to make sure they’re not “lying” about savings - and it could save the government £500 million in the first five years. Mr Hunt will unveil the proposals after finalsing his Budget this weekend with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government.
But the move has come under fire from groups like the Big Issue. According to the Trussel Trust 69 per cent of people referred to their food banks network are disabled. And 62 per cent of disabled people referred to Trussell Trust food banks are also not receiving any disability benefits.
“Every pound stolen by fraudsters could be spent on our public services or on those most in need.” a source told The Telegraph in the run-up to the new law. “Mel [Stride, work and pensions minister] sees it as profoundly wrong that benefit cheats aren’t playing by the rules and is determined to bring fairness for the taxpayer,” the source continued.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “Labour’s soft touch to the welfare system is not only reckless, it’s unfair. It’s no wonder that Labour have never left office with unemployment lower than when they came into power. These proposals will leave fit and able people dodging their agreed commitments to find employment at the expense of taxpayers, costing hardworking people more than £2 billion over a parliament.
“Only the Conservatives will take the fair, long-term decisions to support people into work and grow the economy.” A Labour spokesman rubbished the figures. He said: "This is a desperate attempt to distract from the Tories utter failure to get Britain working and get the benefits bill under control.
“Labour has always believed in conditionality - rights must always go hand in hand with responsibilities. If the Tories were serious about getting people back to work - rather than peddling falsehoods in an attempt to cover up their dire record - they would adopt Labour’s plan to tackle the root causes of economic inactivity and bring the benefits bill down.”
