DWP New site from Issan Group new banking requirements

[jwest10]

Yes, there was an article about 2 days ago and there is very little information apart from the long passage.
This is new, and as yet, there are no forms or anything else and I have tried to get more information, and the gist is bank balances and account numbers has to be sent to DWP as of 31 December and most of us are not digital inclined.

Yes, as we all know the problems  as regarding Proof of Life and also the post can take over 2 months to get here and the UK  and how can one send a letter to DWP with a copy also of a passport but we all run the risk of having our State Pension to be delayed or even stopped.
Yet another deliberate hurdle to face and not intending to do anything as yet but anyone else seen this article?

I have nothing to hide but all of us it seems are being lumped together, and those fraudulently giving false addresses in order to get the increases each year and thanks BTW
I am in the process of sending some queries to SWP but not yet.
Just for your information ok?

[BritManToo]

Not sure what you mean.

DWP already knows my bank acc number as it puts my pension payments there, and already knows my bank balance as tax is taken from the interest payments from it.

 

What is new?

[treetops]

5 hours ago, jwest10 said:

Yes, there was an article about 2 days ago . . . .

 

Please point out this article as otherwise I haven't a clue what your post is about.

[Will B Good]

5 hours ago, jwest10 said:

Yes, there was an article about 2 days ago and there is very little information apart from the long passage.
This is new, and as yet, there are no forms or anything else and I have tried to get more information, and the gist is bank balances and account numbers has to be sent to DWP as of 31 December and most of us are not digital inclined.

Yes, as we all know the problems  as regarding Proof of Life and also the post can take over 2 months to get here and the UK  and how can one send a letter to DWP with a copy also of a passport but we all run the risk of having our State Pension to be delayed or even stopped.
Yet another deliberate hurdle to face and not intending to do anything as yet but anyone else seen this article?

I have nothing to hide but all of us it seems are being lumped together, and those fraudulently giving false addresses in order to get the increases each year and thanks BTW
I am in the process of sending some queries to SWP but not yet.
Just for your information ok?

 

 

I think you are referring to this?

 

 

Clause 128 and Schedule 11 of the bill grant the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) powers to issue “Account Information Notices” to banks.

•  These notices compel banks to share data on accounts receiving benefits and any linked accounts (e.g., savings or joint accounts).

•  The stated goal is to combat benefit fraud, such as undeclared savings or time spent abroad beyond eligibility limits.

 

 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could compel banks to share account information for anyone receiving the State Pension, even though entitlement is not means-tested.

•  This includes:

  ⁠◦  Pensioners living in the UK or abroad.

  ⁠◦  Those with frozen pensions or receiving Pension Credit.

•  The powers are not limited to fraud investigations with prior suspicion—they allow routine data collection from banks to detect potential fraud or errors.

 

 

 

 

[Will B Good]

 Bank Account Monitoring to assess time spent abroad

 

  ⁠◦  Under the new bill, the DWP could access transaction data that may reveal:

      •  Foreign ATM withdrawals

    •  Regular overseas spending

    •  Payments to foreign utilities or services

  ⁠◦  These patterns could suggest extended stays abroad, triggering further scrutiny.

[jwest10]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

I think you are referring to this?

 

 

Clause 128 and Schedule 11 of the bill grant the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) powers to issue “Account Information Notices” to banks.

•  These notices compel banks to share data on accounts receiving benefits and any linked accounts (e.g., savings or joint accounts).

•  The stated goal is to combat benefit fraud, such as undeclared savings or time spent abroad beyond eligibility limits.

 

 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could compel banks to share account information for anyone receiving the State Pension, even though entitlement is not means-tested.

•  This includes:

  ⁠◦  Pensioners living in the UK or abroad.

  ⁠◦  Those with frozen pensions or receiving Pension Credit.

•  The powers are not limited to fraud investigations with prior suspicion—they allow routine data collection from banks to detect potential fraud or errors.

 

 

 

 

Was led to believe we had to send details but yes seen this that SWP can ask banks for information

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

Was led to believe we had to send details but yes seen this that SWP can ask banks for information

 

 

22.6 million accounts they are now allowed to access......any form of benefit!!!!

[jwest10]

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

 

22.6 million accounts they are now allowed to access......any form of benefit!!!!

So at the moment we do not have to do anything and yes down to interpretation and not planning to do anything and might send a letter later on to DWP!! But that is for later if and when!!!

[jwest10]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

I think you are referring to this?

 

 

Clause 128 and Schedule 11 of the bill grant the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) powers to issue “Account Information Notices” to banks.

•  These notices compel banks to share data on accounts receiving benefits and any linked accounts (e.g., savings or joint accounts).

•  The stated goal is to combat benefit fraud, such as undeclared savings or time spent abroad beyond eligibility limits.

 

 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could compel banks to share account information for anyone receiving the State Pension, even though entitlement is not means-tested.

•  This includes:

  ⁠◦  Pensioners living in the UK or abroad.

  ⁠◦  Those with frozen pensions or receiving Pension Credit.

•  The powers are not limited to fraud investigations with prior suspicion—they allow routine data collection from banks to detect potential fraud or errors.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for information

[Will B Good]

Just now, jwest10 said:

So at the moment we do not have to do anything and yes down to interpretation and not planning to do anything and might send a letter later on to DWP!! But that is for later if and when!!!

 

 

They don't have to inform you....they just ask/demand your details from the bank and investigate!!!

 

With 22 million to go at though, I assume you must have been flagged big time by something that triggers it all.

[Will B Good]

Just now, jwest10 said:

Thanks for information

 

 

Funny you should say that.....yesterday a poster criticised me......"all you do is read a post, go away, research the topic and then respond"......555

[jwest10]

6 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

They don't have to inform you....they just ask/demand your details from the bank and investigate!!!

 

With 22 million to go at though, I assume you must have been flagged big time by something that triggers it all.

Thanks for confirming, John. Based on the full thread on ASEAN Now, your reply could be short, steady, and in keeping with the tone of cautious realism. Here’s a one-liner that fits:

---

Reply suggestion:

Not doing anything so far either—just watching how it unfolds. Interpretation seems to be the wildcard, so best not to jump until something official lands.

---

 

 

[Will B Good]

6 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

Thanks for confirming, John. Based on the full thread on ASEAN Now, your reply could be short, steady, and in keeping with the tone of cautious realism. Here’s a one-liner that fits:

---

Reply suggestion:

Not doing anything so far either—just watching how it unfolds. Interpretation seems to be the wildcard, so best not to jump until something official lands.

---

 

 

 

 

 The only action I could contemplate is for those living abroad who have not yet declared that to be the case to HMRC/DWP.

 

Apparently (using AI?) the government can scan for transfers abroad, ATM's used, purchases overseas etc to detect where you seem to be living.....how you would disguise that kind of stuff I have no idea.

 

Shame they don't put as much time and energy into tax evasion.

 

 

[topt]

3 hours ago, jwest10 said:

Thanks for information

 

3 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

Funny you should say that.....yesterday a poster criticised me......"all you do is read a post, go away, research the topic and then respond"......555

Yes well I am not sure your quoted words are current and therefore correct - mainly because you haven't actually given any links?

 

If you look at these which are all fairly recent -

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dwp-bank-spying-bill-surveillance-benefits-universal-credit-b2707978.html

https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2048361/labour-minister-gives-update-dwp-powers-compel-bank-account-information

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/dwp-start-monitoring-bank-accounts-32164289

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-authorities-fraud-error-and-recovery-bill-2025-factsheets/dwps-eligibility-verification-powers-in-the-public-authorities-fraud-error-and-recovery-bill-factsheet

 

All talk about "benefits" and not specifically the state pension - or not that I noticed.

 

This subject came up earlier this year and I believe (but could be wrong) links at that time said it did not include the state pension. Also the powers have changed over the last 2 years with various amendments to the bill which is maybe why some of the earlier quotes seem a little 'iffy' to me.

If needed DWP already has the powers to investigate all the details if they felt they had a case.

[The Cyclist]

25 minutes ago, topt said:

All talk about "benefits" and not specifically the state pension - or not that I noticed.

 

The State Pension became a benefit in 2016.

 

Any bank account that receives a deposit with " DWP " in the deposit code will be open to scrutiny.

 

I would also suggest, that given the figure of 22 million by @Will B Good. The onus will be passed to banks to report any of these accounts, that raises red flags, direct to DWP, rather than the DWP trawling through somewhere IRO 22 million accounts.

[topt]

43 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

The onus will be passed to banks to report any of these accounts, that raises red flags, direct to DWP, rather than the DWP trawling through somewhere IRO 22 million accounts.

How would a red flag be raised?

I think the onus will be on DWP to request specific names initially otherwise there are huge privacy issues. That has apparently been one of the sticking points in the legislation. 

I could well be wrong of course........

[The Cyclist]

1 minute ago, topt said:

How would a red flag be raised?

 

1. Pension payments to a UK bank being transferred via Wise etc, on a regular basis.

 

2. No UK debit card spending / withdrawals

 

Just off the top of my head.

 

Every UK bank has a compliance department. They will do the donkey work.

[hotandsticky]

1 hour ago, The Cyclist said:

 

 

 

I would also suggest, that given the figure of 22 million by @Will B Good. The onus will be passed to banks to report any of these accounts, that raises red flags, direct to DWP, rather than the DWP trawling through somewhere IRO 22 million accounts.

 

 

That simply won't happen.

 

It is not a matter that is serious enough to warrant such activity on the part of the banks...............they have better things to do with their time.

[The Cyclist]

Just now, hotandsticky said:

That simply won't happen.

 

What is the remit of Banks Legal and Compliance Departments ?
 

You think it won't happen all you like.

 

You don't have a dog and bark yourself 😉😉

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

What is the remit of Banks Legal and Compliance Departments ?
 

You think it won't happen all you like.

 

You don't have a dog and bark yourself 😉😉

 

 

A bank's fundamental relationship is with it's customers and there are protections in place for that which only a court order can override.

 

This petty subject will not warrant 'special' intervention. If DWP want to see what is happening on a bank account they will do it themselves by having direct access - until that day arrives the role of the banks is not to snitch on customers.

 

Don't confuse legal and compliance - they are separate functions.

[The Cyclist]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

A bank's fundamental relationship is with it's customers and there are protections in place for that which only a court order can override.

 

And a bank has to comply with the Law in the Country it operates.

 

3 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

Don't confuse legal and compliance - they are separate functions.

 

I'm not. See above.

 

Compliance with the Laws in the Country that they operate.

 

Theft / Fraud and misuse of public funds. Will fall into that category.

[treetops]

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

If DWP want to see what is happening on a bank account they will do it themselves by having direct access - until that day arrives the role of the banks is not to snitch on customers.

 

This prospective new law changes the way things work.  If passed in its current form the Government, through the Secretary of State can request details of any UK bank account receiving benefit payments and the bank will have to provide said info.  There would be no threshold to reach as to when this information could be requested such as high overseas transfers. limited UK spend  etc. and as such any account would be at risk of getting unwanted attention.

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

And a bank has to comply with the Law in the Country it operates.

 

 

I'm not. See above.

 

Compliance with the Laws in the Country that they operate.

 

Theft / Fraud and misuse of public funds. Will fall into that category.

 

 

You seem to think that your banking knowledge is superior to mine.

 

Unless you have something to trump my 30+ years in banking then you need to sharpen your pencil - and your research and knowledge.

[BritManToo]

So many people frightened of their government ............

A government that can't even deliver a proof of life request on time.

 

How many extra staff do they need to trawl through 22M bank accounts?

That's 88,000 bank statements to examine every single working day!

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, treetops said:

 

This prospective new law changes the way things work.  If passed in its current form the Government, through the Secretary of State can request details of any UK bank account receiving benefit payments and the bank will have to provide said info.  There would be no threshold to reach as to when this information could be requested such as high overseas transfers. limited UK spend  etc. and as such any account would be at risk of getting unwanted attention.

 

Words and figures sometimes differ; theory and practice certainly does.

 

There are many rules in place that already give 'powers' and these just go somewhat further...........but, contrary to what another poster suggested, the banks are not going to become an agent of DWP, HMRC or anyone else.

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

So many people frightened of their government ............

A government that can't even deliver a proof of life request on time.

 

 

Finally.........a modicum of perspective. 🙏

[treetops]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

Words and figures sometimes differ; theory and practice certainly does.

 

Indeed, and I don't think the law will pass as currently worded as it leaves things open to abuse with no thresholds required for the DWP to request a closer look.

 

 

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

There are many rules in place that already give 'powers' and these just go somewhat further...........but, contrary to what another poster suggested, the banks are not going to become an agent of DWP, HMRC or anyone else.

 

Would they have a choice if the alternative is to break the law?

[The Cyclist]

12 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

You seem to think that your banking knowledge is superior to mine.

 

I wouldn't try and pull that one.

 

What your 30+ years in banking is, is in the past.

 

The Country is nearly bankrupt, welfare ( DWP spending ) is only going upwards.

 

8 minutes ago, treetops said:

Would they have a choice if the alternative is to break the law?

 

Someone gets it.

[baansgr]

From 5th September they will know where you are as they will track all passport movements..try telling them your living in Essex and not issan,.don't think it will work.

[jori123]

Post on Facebook a while ago which just sums up the posts on here...a clitoris has 8000 nerve endings, more endings on some of these posts.

   DWP action was to identify pension recipient to a bank,not to where it went after that, how could anyone believe a pensioner could possibly be a target on a none means tested benefit is beyond belief,means tested yes,but that's it