We urge the Labour government to drop plans to allow the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) access to benefit claimants’ bank accounts.
Like other disabled people’s organisations, we see this as an unnecessary and distressing intrusion into the privacy of claimants, many of whom already feel anxious and insecure. The DWP already has the power to obtain access to bank accounts where it suspects fraud, and has no need to do so in other circumstances.
This measure constitutes an attack on neurodivergent and other disabled people, who disproportionately need to claim benefits.
We suggest that the government concentrate on recovering the yearly £38.5 billion unpaid tax, five times the amount of benefits claimed fraudulently.
We also urge it to reduce the need for people to claim benefits by ensuring the availability of well-paid, accessible jobs for those who can work.