Latest news with #Sherlock
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP update on new bank monitoring powers to tackle benefit fraud
The DWP will soon be able to force banks to hand over private financial details in what ministers have called the "biggest fraud crackdown in a generation" Millions of benefit claimants could have their bank accounts scrutinised by the Government under contentious new "snooping" powers being introduced by Labour. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will soon have the authority to demand banks disclose private financial details as part of what ministers are dubbing the "biggest fraud crackdown in a generation". The plans are in the spotlight as a minister gave an update on the looming powers. The extensive measures are included in the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. Ministers maintain that these changes will assist in identifying those falsely claiming benefits, such as people with savings exceeding £16,000 who are not eligible for Universal Credit. However, critics argue that the Government is establishing a "system of mass financial surveillance" that could inadvertently ensnare innocent people. Baroness Maeve Sherlock, a DWP minister in the House of Lords, disclosed new aspects of the policy this week – including the crucial provision known as the Eligibility Verification Measure, which will compel banks to comply with official data requests. This will enable DWP agents to request personal details from financial institutions, including a claimant's name, date of birth, sort code, account number – and importantly, whether the account appears to violate benefit eligibility rules. Baroness Sherlock said: 'The information that can be requested under an Eligibility Verification Notice will include basic information about the account holder, such as name and date of birth, and the sort code and account number. Agents may also request information about whether the account meets eligibility requirements.' The powers are set to be rolled out in stages over the next 12 months, starting with a small group of banks. Officials say the crackdown is designed to recover an estimated £1.5 billion over five years by tackling fraud and correcting errors early – before they spiral into large amounts of unmanageable debt. A DWP spokesperson said: 'Our 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 – such as those on Universal Credit with savings over £16,000. 'As well as tackling fraud, the new powers will also help us find genuine claim errors sooner, stopping people building up unmanageable debt. This measure does not give DWP access to any benefit claimants' bank accounts.' However, the proposals have already triggered fierce opposition from privacy advocates, who argue the fresh powers extend well beyond what is required. Civil liberties organisation Big Brother Watch told The Independent: "It threatens to usher in an unprecedented system of mass financial surveillance." Baroness Sherlock also confirmed that the DWP will also gain powers to directly seize money from individuals using Direct Deduction Orders – similar to those used by HMRC and the Child Maintenance Service. She stated that the department anticipates making between 5,000 and 20,000 deduction orders annually. The DWP argues that these measures are an essential tool for swiftly recovering money where overpayments have occurred. However, critics worry they could result in hardship for families already grappling with the cost-of-living crisis. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has maintained that the powers are necessary to "restore trust in the welfare system" – but opposition voices are expected to intensify as the bill approaches the statute books.
Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Brits admit to lying about salary and sporting ability at dinner parties
A third of Brits have admitted to lying about their personal life - by exaggerating their salary - sporting ability - and knowledge of current affairs. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A third of Brits have admitted to lying about their personal life - by exaggerating their salary - sporting ability - and knowledge of current affairs. A study, of 2,000 adults, found 59 per cent of these have done so at a dinner party, while 38 per cent have exaggerated funny stories for full comic effect - with 66 per cent most likely to embellish to their friends and 44 per cent to colleagues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And childhood tales aren't safe from a little creative rewriting at the table (27 per cent), according to the poll - with 13 per cent even inflating the facts to their in-laws. But the deception doesn't end at small talk - when it comes to hosting themselves, the study also found 14 per cent of all respondents would lie about how they prepared food. A third of Brits have admitted to lying about their personal life. | Will Ireland / PinPep / SWNS Bending the truth in the kitchen Additionally, 24 per cent of hosts have served food cooked in an air fryer but present it to others as having been cooked via another method. The research was commissioned by Bosch, which has teamed up with TV duo Harry Clark and Mollie Pearce, to help quash myths around the quality of air fryer food following the release of its new air fryer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The two reality stars invited sceptical members of the public into their studio kitchen to try two identical-looking dishes: one cooked traditionally, and one using the air fryer. Harry Clark said: 'It's funny to see how many people will lie at the dinner table to make themselves look good. 'But it's not just embellishing their tales to others –-clearly, some people feel the need to be a little deceptive when it comes to how they're preparing their food. 'I've got a decent nose for spotting when something's not quite what it seems - and food's no exception. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When we watched people try to guess which dish was cooked in the air fryer, it was hilarious as most of them got it wrong." It also emerged 28 per cent of those who fib have been caught out telling a lie - with friends most likely to be the ones playing Sherlock (42 per cent). Despite bending the truth, 24 per cent worry others will find out the reality if they inflate their stories too much. However, when attending a dinner party, 19 per cent would be willing to lie and tell the host they enjoyed the food, even if they didn't. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Just under half (45 per cent) of Brits don't trust their air fryer to cook their food as much as traditional cooking methods. However, 37 per cent have proudly shown off something made in an air fryer to their dinner party guests. A Bosch spokesperson said: 'When it comes to new cooking tech, people are divided - some are devoted fans of the air fryer, while others just don't trust it yet. 'That's why we created Air Fryer or Air Liar - to prove you don't need to fake it.' Bosch is turning up the heat with TV's ultimate truth detectives. | Will Ireland / PinPep / SWNS 1. Funny stories 2. Job 3. Salary 4. Holidays 5. Childhood 6. Experiences (spa massages, wine tasting, etc) 7. Sporting ability 8. Knowledge of current affairs 9. Connections 10. DIY skills
North Wales Live
7 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
DWP update on powers that will allow 'monitoring' of Brits' bank accounts
Labour's new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill is a key component of DWP plans to clamp down on benefit fraud, granting the department new powers to access information from claimants' bank accounts for various reasons. The Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill is set to come into effect from 2026, with the measures expected to save a total of £1.5 billion of taxpayers' money over the subsequent five years. The bill aims to crack down on benefit fraudsters. These new powers are part of a series of measures Labour claims will constitute the "biggest fraud crackdown in a generation." Further details have been provided on the DWP's plans to closely monitor people's bank accounts. Under the changes, benefit fraudsters could face driving disqualifications for up to two years if they refuse all opportunities to repay the money they owe, reports the Liverpool Echo. Currently being debated in the House of Lords, more details on how these powers will work have been revealed by Baroness Maeve Sherlock, a minster of state for the DWP. The key power that will enable the DWP to request banks to share financial information with its agents is called the Eligibility Verification Measure. The DWP will be able to gather information from more third-party organisations such as airlines to check if people are claiming benefits from abroad and potentially violating eligibility rules. The financial department will not have direct access to the bank accounts of millions of people on means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions will identify people who may have exceeded the eligibility criteria for means-tested benefits, such as the £16,000 income threshold for Universal Credit. If a person is identified, the department will then investigate that claimant to prevent possible overpayments and potential cases of fraud. The legislation only allows banks and other financial institutions to share limited data and excludes the sharing of transaction data. This means DWP will not be able to see what people are spending money on. A DWP factsheet states: "Any information shared through the Eligibility Verification Measure will not be shared on the presumption or suspicion that anyone is guilty of any offence. Banks and other financial institutions could receive a penalty for oversharing information, such as transaction information." Baroness Sherlock outlines that the information the institution can be asked to share includes information about the account holder, including their name and date of birth. Agents can also ask for the bank account's sort code and account number, as well as details about how the account meets eligibility. Ministers say the government is introducing these powers to be able to determine if an individual is eligible for a benefit they are claiming or have applied for based on their financial position. Baroness Sherlock has said the measures will be implemented over 12 months, in a "phased approach" and work with a small number of banks initially. Based on its usage by HMRC and the Child Maintenance Service, Baroness Sherlock says DWP estimates it will make between 5,000 and 20,000 Direct Deduction Orders every year. A DWP spokesperson told The Independent: "Our 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 – such as those on Universal Credit with savings over £16,000. "As well as tackling fraud, the new powers will also help us find genuine claim errors sooner, stopping people building up unmanageable debt. This measure does not give DWP access to any benefit claimants' bank accounts."
AU Financial Review
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- AU Financial Review
Bookish is a British crime drama, but not as you know it
There's something about the British and a good mystery. Maybe it's the afternoon teas or the fog that sets in. Regardless, the land of Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple is synonymous with tales of intrigue. Another in this grand tradition is Bookish, Mark Gatiss' finely crafted six-part period drama. Set in postwar London, this is a clever whodunit consisting of three full-bodied yarns told neatly across two episodes apiece. A polymath equally at home in front of and behind the camera, Gatiss first became known as a creator of The League of Gentlemen and for his turn as Mycroft Holmes in the BBC's Sherlock.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP latest on powers that will allow bank accounts to be 'monitored'
The DWP is set to be given new powers as part of its Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill which forms a central part of its plans to crackdown on benefit fraud Labour's new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill represents a key element of DWP strategies to tackle benefit fraud and will grant fresh powers to the department to seek information from claimants' bank accounts. The Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill has been confirmed to take effect from 2026, with the provisions being rolled out to safeguard a total of £1.5billion of taxpayers' money over the subsequent five years. The legislation is designed to target benefit fraudsters. The fresh powers have been brought in as part of a series of measures Labour claims will constitute the "biggest fraud crackdown in a generation." Further details have now been provided on the proposals for the DWP to monitor people's bank accounts closely, READ MORE: BT warning for anyone who still has UK landline in their home Under the changes, benefit cheats could face driving bans for periods of up to two years if they reject all chances to repay the money they owe. Currently under discussion in the House of Lords, additional details on how these powers will operate have been disclosed by Baroness Maeve Sherlock, a minister of state for the DWP. The primary power that will allow the DWP to request banks to share financial information with its agents is termed the Eligibility Verification Measure, reports the Liverpool Echo. The DWP will be able to collect information from additional third-party organisations such as airlines to verify if people are claiming benefits from abroad and potentially breaching eligibility rules. The financial department will not have direct access to the bank accounts of millions of people on means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions will identify individuals who may have exceeded the eligibility criteria for means-tested benefits, such as the £16,000 income threshold for Universal Credit. If a person is identified, the department will then investigate that claimant to prevent possible overpayments and potential cases of fraud. The legislation only permits banks and other financial institutions to share limited data and excludes the sharing of transaction data. This means DWP will not be able to see what people are spending money on. A DWP factsheet states: "Any information shared through the Eligibility Verification Measure will not be shared on the presumption or suspicion that anyone is guilty of any offence. Banks and other financial institutions could receive a penalty for oversharing information, such as transaction information." Baroness Sherlock explains that the information the institution can be asked to share includes details about the account holder, including their name and date of birth. Agents can also request the bank account's sort code and account number, as well as details about how the account meets eligibility. Ministers claim the government is bringing in these powers to establish whether someone qualifies for a benefit they are receiving or have requested based on their financial circumstances. Baroness Sherlock said the measures will be rolled out over 12 months, using a "phased approach" and working with a limited number of banks at first. Drawing on its use by HMRC and the Child Maintenance Service, Baroness Sherlock says DWP anticipates it will issue between 5,000 and 20,000 Direct Deduction Orders annually. A DWP spokesperson told The Independent: "Our 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 – such as those on Universal Credit with savings over £16,000. "As well as tackling fraud, the new powers will also help us find genuine claim errors sooner, stopping people building up unmanageable debt. This measure does not give DWP access to any benefit claimants' bank accounts."
