The UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to gain significant new powers aimed at strengthening its ability to combat benefit fraud.
According to Manchester Evening News, these measures will grant DWP fraud investigators the authority to enter properties linked to suspected fraudsters and seize electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones, that may serve as crucial evidence.
This move comes as part of broader efforts to address rising concerns over benefit fraud and the challenges posed by increasingly organised criminal networks.
New Powers to Target Fraud
The newly proposed legislation will enable the DWP’s fraud investigators to conduct forced entries into homes of those suspected of exploiting the benefits system.
For the first time, investigators will be able to apply to a court for search warrants to support police in their investigations, thus broadening the scope of action against organised criminal networks involved in benefit fraud.
This development is seen as essential in dealing with highly organised fraudsters, especially those who operate across borders, creating significant challenges for public sector fraud agencies.
In a discussion with Members of Parliament (MPs), Helena Wood from the fraud prevention group Cifas explained that these powers are necessary due to the increasing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, particularly given their limited resources to investigate fraud cases. Wood emphasised,
Police simply do not have the resources to look at fraud against consumers, never mind to support DWP, so I think it is entirely necessary to extend those powers of search and seizure to DWP as well.
In support of the measures, Professor Mark Button, director of the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime at the University of Portsmouth, highlighted that fraudsters often operate internationally, making enforcement more difficult. He noted,
You are obviously dealing with increasingly highly organised fraudsters that often operate across borders. That poses significant challenges, particularly for many public sector fraud agencies, particularly when the police themselves have very limited resources.
However, concerns have been raised about how these powers will be applied. Wood pointed out that there is currently a low bar for who can enact the search and seizure powers, with the legislation only requiring a “higher executive officer” or “senior executive officer”—essentially, a very entry-level civil service officer. She warned,
We trust the police to use their coercive and intrusive powers based on their skills, experience and training. At the moment, there is a reasonably low bar set in the legislation, which is merely to be a higher executive officer or senior executive officer—a very entry-grade civil service officer.
The Need for Professional Capacity
Given that fewer than 2,000 police officers are dedicated to economic crime in the UK, the need for these additional powers is further justified. Fraud cases are complex and often go unsolved due to the resource constraints within police departments.
Professor Button argues that the DWP must have the appropriate powers to investigate fraud effectively, given the increasing sophistication of criminals involved in welfare fraud.
The Need for Professional Capacitydirect Bank Account Access
Alongside the new powers to seize evidence, the legislation also includes provisions to allow the DWP to request access to individuals’ bank statements.
If individuals are found to have incorrectly received benefits, officials will have the ability to directly withdraw funds from their accounts. Banks will be required to provide at least three months’ worth of statements to confirm whether the recipient can repay the overpayments.
While the DWP will not have direct access to people’s bank accounts, this move is seen as an important tool for identifying and addressing discrepancies in benefit claims, particularly for Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Pension Credit recipients.
