Martin Lewis raises concerns over DWP’s new powers to access bank info, warning about potential risks for benefit claimants.
Birmingham: Martin Lewis is sounding the alarm about some new powers the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) just got. They can now ask banks for info on folks they think might be cheating the benefits system.
He took to Twitter to share his worries. Lewis pointed out that while banks are pushing back against the DWP taking money directly from accounts, they don’t seem to mind when they take money for other debts. It’s a bit of a double standard, right?
People on social media jumped into the conversation. One user wasn’t having it, saying Lewis was mixing up two different issues. Another chimed in, saying this is just how banks operate under their contracts.
Someone else mentioned that banks are just looking out for their own interests. They don’t want the DWP dipping into their funds, no matter who the customer is. It’s all about the money, isn’t it?
One person even joked about keeping cash under the mattress instead of trusting banks. They asked why anyone would want premium bonds when they could win money every month.
A former benefits worker shared their experience, saying some people preferred having their rent paid directly to landlords to avoid overdrafts. They felt it was risky to give the money directly to claimants, as some would just spend it elsewhere.
Another user questioned why banks should act like government agencies. They suggested that people should avoid banking and borrowing from the same place to steer clear of these issues.
