Minister mulls ‘unprecedented privacy intrusions’ to tackle benefits fraudsters
Campaigners warn DWP proposals could be counterproductive and create a two-tier justice system
A Universal Credit sign on a door of a job centre plus in east London
PLANS to ban benefit fraudsters from driving and seize money from their bank accounts will create a two-tier justice system that destroys innocent lives, campaigners warned today.
The elderly, disabled and hard-up families would face “totally unprecedented privacy intrusions and punishments” under proposals by the Department for Welfare and Pensions (DWP).
Employment minister Alison McGovern insisted that banning benefit cheats from driving would be a “backstop” used in “extreme” cases ahead of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill’s introduction to Parliament today.
More from this author
Overhaul fails to end privatisation of troubled water sector
