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    Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

    Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

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    Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

    Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

    Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

    MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth charges

    MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth charges

    MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

    MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

    Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

    Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

    Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at ‘reactionary politics’

    Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at ‘reactionary politics’

    SNP Government ‘failing stroke patients’ as average treatment waiting time over two hours

    SNP Government ‘failing stroke patients’ as average treatment waiting time over two hours

    MSP demands Donald Trump pay up to cover costs of policing for Scottish visit

    MSP demands Donald Trump pay up to cover costs of policing for Scottish visit

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    Glasgow domestic waste sent to Spain as part of SNP council recycling drive

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    Scots selling counterfeit goods less likely to face prosecution as conviction rate plummets

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    Librarian cuts at Glasgow schools will ‘rob kids of opportunities’ as SNP Government urged to intervene

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      Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

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        Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

        Alexander Dennis to continue bus building in Scotland as SNP Government offers £4m furlough scheme

        Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

        Peter Mandelson facing sacking calls by SNP over links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

        Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

        Greyhound racing set for total ban in Scotland after ministers back MSP’s bill

        MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth charges

        MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth charges

        MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

        MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

        Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

        Labour MP blasts ‘coked-up yobbery’ of far right protestors as she hits out at ‘disaster’ of asylum hotels

        Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at ‘reactionary politics’

        Blow for Scottish Conservatives as MSP quits party in protest at ‘reactionary politics’

        SNP Government ‘failing stroke patients’ as average treatment waiting time over two hours

        SNP Government ‘failing stroke patients’ as average treatment waiting time over two hours

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        MSP demands Donald Trump pay up to cover costs of policing for Scottish visit

        Glasgow domestic waste sent to Spain as part of SNP council recycling drive

        Glasgow domestic waste sent to Spain as part of SNP council recycling drive

        Scots selling counterfeit goods less likely to face prosecution as conviction rate plummets

        Scots selling counterfeit goods less likely to face prosecution as conviction rate plummets

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        Librarian cuts at Glasgow schools will ‘rob kids of opportunities’ as SNP Government urged to intervene

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          What is a virtual office and why you need one in Central London – Your Company Formations Ltd

          Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

          Inflation rises again to new 40-year high

          Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

          Bank of England hikes interest rates to 1.25%

          Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

          Hiring activity in Scotland slows amid steep decline in staff availability

          Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

          Scottish retail footfall growth ‘worst in UK compared to pre-pandemic’

        • Sports
          Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

          Raging Ally McCoist slaughters Rangers chiefs for ‘unacceptable’ sin

          Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

          Mikel Arteta claim about Ange Postecoglou rings louder than ever as Arsenal boss tosses rivalry aside

          Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

          Chris Sutton reacts to ‘misguided’ Celtic transfer declaration as UEFA spending cap claim torpedoed

          Union Bears torch Green Brigade gear as Celtic ultras targeted by gloating Rangers rivals

          Union Bears torch Green Brigade gear as Celtic ultras targeted by gloating Rangers rivals

          Kieron Bowie touted for Rangers transfer if key hurdle can be cleared

          Kieron Bowie touted for Rangers transfer if key hurdle can be cleared

          Raging Fabrizio Romano fires back at fan for branding him a ‘fraud’

          Raging Fabrizio Romano fires back at fan for branding him a ‘fraud’

          Scotland’s plunging coefficient faces threat from Sweden as Champions League abyss awaits

          Scotland’s plunging coefficient faces threat from Sweden as Champions League abyss awaits

          Rangers brutally mocked by Belgian big mouth as rebuilding Brugge told UCL rivals aren’t ‘serious’

          Rangers brutally mocked by Belgian big mouth as rebuilding Brugge told UCL rivals aren’t ‘serious’

          Jamie Vardy handed Celtic transfer pitch as two deals reach endgame

          Jamie Vardy handed Celtic transfer pitch as two deals reach endgame

          Etienne Youte breaks cover as Celtic issued Jakob Breum red flag before key transfer deadline

          Etienne Youte breaks cover as Celtic issued Jakob Breum red flag before key transfer deadline

          Lyall Cameron slammed for ‘disrespect’ as Rangers new boy comes under fire for Dundee ‘jibes’

          Lyall Cameron slammed for ‘disrespect’ as Rangers new boy comes under fire for Dundee ‘jibes’

          Celtic risk blowing £1.6m transfer windfall as defensive duo head out on loan – Parkhead news bulletin

          Celtic risk blowing £1.6m transfer windfall as defensive duo head out on loan – Parkhead news bulletin

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            NASA announces breakthrough discovery suggesting life on Mars

            Sir James Dyson unveils new AI robot vacuum in a bid to help households to clean with ease

            Sir James Dyson unveils new AI robot vacuum in a bid to help households to clean with ease

            Shoppers leave Sky for ‘easy to use’ TV recorder that lets you watch telly for free

            Shoppers leave Sky for ‘easy to use’ TV recorder that lets you watch telly for free

            Google Pixel 10 pre-orders go live with up to £700 off from Sky, O2, Amazon and EE

            Google Pixel 10 pre-orders go live with up to £700 off from Sky, O2, Amazon and EE

            Tech fans say ‘brilliant fit’ £18 noise cancelling earbuds work ‘as well as Apple Airpods’

            Tech fans say ‘brilliant fit’ £18 noise cancelling earbuds work ‘as well as Apple Airpods’

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            Scottish siblings diagnosed with the same terminal illness that killed their dad

            Scottish siblings diagnosed with the same terminal illness that killed their dad

            Signs of depression in later life and how to recognise them, according to experts

            Signs of depression in later life and how to recognise them, according to experts

            Jessie J postpones UK tour and cancels US gigs amid ongoing cancer battle

            Jessie J postpones UK tour and cancels US gigs amid ongoing cancer battle

            Boots protein powder shoppers say ‘takes away cravings and cuts bloating’

            Boots protein powder shoppers say ‘takes away cravings and cuts bloating’

            Changing the way you walk could help knee arthritis and delay surgery

            Changing the way you walk could help knee arthritis and delay surgery

          • Entertainment
            UK watchdog issues new car finance update on possible £1,100 compensation payout due next year

            UK watchdog issues new car finance update on possible £1,100 compensation payout due next year

            New update on calls for monthly State Pension payments of £2,344 for people over 60

            New update on calls for monthly State Pension payments of £2,344 for people over 60

            Jet2 announce new check-in change for Scots travellers

            Jet2 announce new check-in change for Scots travellers

            DWP warning to people on State Pension, PIP or other benefits using a mobile phone

            DWP warning to people on State Pension, PIP or other benefits using a mobile phone

            DWP urges people in their 60s to check State Pension age before changes start next year

            DWP urges people in their 60s to check State Pension age before changes start next year

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            Primary schools in one part of Wales propose big change for parents

            Primary schools in one part of Wales propose big change for parents

            International students warned of deportation if they overstay their visa

            International students warned of deportation if they overstay their visa

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          New update on DWP plans to ‘monitor’ bank accounts to stop benefit fraud

          by Mary F. Almanza
          April 30, 2025
          in Life Style
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          Several MPs raised concerns over the new Eligibility Verification Measure.

          videoHeadline

          Reasons your Universal Credit may be cut by DWP

          New proposed Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reforms set to deliver the “biggest ever crackdown on fraud against the public purse” have been cleared in Parliament and will now progress to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

          The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill seeks to curb multibillion-pound benefit fraud and includes allowing the DWP to recover money directly from fraudsters’ bank accounts.

          The Bill would also allow the DWP to have the power to obtain bank statements from people they believe have enough cash to pay back welfare debts but are refusing to do so – but they would not be able to directly access accounts or see how claimants’ spend their money.

          READ MORE: DWP confirms start date for Eligibility Verification and ‘monitoring’ bank accounts to stop benefit fraudREAD MORE: DWP measures to stop people fraudulently claiming monthly PIP payments of up to £749

          Courts could also suspend fraudsters’ driving licences after an application by the DWP, if they owe welfare debts of more than £1,000 and have ignored repeated requests to pay them back.

          However, a group of Labour MPs rebelled to support an amendment designed to curb UK Government powers to verify a person’s benefit eligibility and the Liberal Democrats work and pensions spokesman Steve Darling detailed several “major concerns” from his party, including “Orwellian levels of mass surveillance of those who have means tested benefits”.

          Conservative former Brexit secretary David Davis said it could mean more than nine million people are put at risk of “unnecessary” surveillance.

          John Milne, the Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, warned it would be “the innocent and the accidental claimants who fall into the trap”, rather than deliberate benefit fraudsters.

          He said: “The implicit assumption is that we should trust in the DWP as a completely error-free organisation across the entirety of its massive operation, but they do make mistakes – they make mistakes all the time, and even when they know they’ve made a mistake, and they’ve been told so, they’re very capable of making the same mistake again.”

          Speaking at third reading, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs: “Delivering our Plan for Change means ensuring every single pound of taxpayers’ money is wisely spent and goes to those in genuine need.

          “That is what this legislation will help deliver, with the biggest ever crackdown on fraud against the public purse.”

          Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole) forced a vote on one of his amendments to the Bill in a bid to curb UK Government powers to look at benefit claimants’ accounts.

          The amendment would have meant the UK Government could only look into accounts belonging to people who the Government “has reasonable grounds to suspect has committed, is committing or intends to commit” an offence.

          Mr Duncan-Jordan received the support of 10 Labour MPs in the division lobby but his amendment was rejected by 238 to 85, majority 153.

          Before the vote, Mr Duncan-Jordan said: “The Bill rightly seeks to tackle organised crime and online fraud, but also worryingly ushers in dangerous new powers compelling banks to trawl through financial information.”

          He added: “It is the very poorest in our society which are going to be affected most by this legislation. So banks will be able to trawl for financial information even where there is no suspicion of wrongdoing. That’s the key point in this debate.”

          DWP Minister Andrew Western had said Mr Duncan-Jordan’s amendment would “undermine” the proposed new power designed to help verify a person’s benefit eligibility.

          Mr Western said: “We do require this power because it will enable better data sharing between the private and public sector to help check claimants are meeting the criteria for their benefits and to detect incorrect payments at an earlier stage before any suspicion of wrongdoing has arisen.

          “It is not a power to be used to respond to suspected fraud. Information will not be shared with the DWP under the assumption that a claimant is guilty of any wrongdoing. The DWP must look into why the account has been flagged by the bank and ascertain whether an incorrect payment has been made.”

          Mr Western said the DWP would also make further enquiries to determine whether a benefit has been incorrectly paid and whether this was due to fraud or error.

          Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said the Conservatives “support many of the measures” in the Bill, adding she was “disappointed” that their amendments were rejected by the Labour Government.

          They included proposals to create specific offences and lengthy prison sentences to target so-called “sickfluencers” who use social media to help people fraudulently claim benefits.

          Ms Whately said: “Why should we tolerate people using social media platforms to help others commit fraud, helping people cheat the tests which are there so support goes to those who need it?

          “Why should someone who has committed fraud be able to keep their high-end television or luxury car just because they’ve spent their ill-gotten gains before the department gets to them? We’re clear that both of those things should be tackled but sadly Labour has shown themselves to be on the side of the fraudsters instead.”

          Eligibility Verification Measure

          It’s important to be aware that the DWP 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 DWP will work with banks to identify people who may have exceeded the eligibility criteria for means-tested benefits, such as the £16,000 income threshold for Universal Credit – and get that information to 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, which means DWP will not be able to see how people on benefits spend their money.

          In fact, the factsheet explains how banks and other financial institutions could receive a penalty for oversharing information, such as transaction information.

          It adds: “Any information shared through the Eligibility Verification Measure will not be shared on the presumption or suspicion that anyone is guilty of any offence.”

          Have your say

          What do you think about the new measure? Share your opinion in our poll and the comments below. You can also join in the conversation in our Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here.

          New DWP measures to tackle fraud

          The new Bill will deliver on the UK Government’s manifesto commitment to safeguard taxpayers’ money – ensuring every pound is spent wisely and effectively:

          • New powers of search and seizure – so DWP can control investigations into criminal gangs defrauding the taxpayer.
          • Allowing DWP to recover debts from individuals no longer on benefits and not in PAYE employment who can pay money back but have avoided doing so.
          • New requirements for banks and building societies to flag where there is an indication that there may be a breach of eligibility rules for benefits – preventing debts accruing.
          • All the powers will include strong safeguards to ensure they are only used appropriately and proportionately – including new inspection and reporting mechanisms.
          • DWP will have a clearly defined scope and clear limitations for the use of all the powers it is introducing, and staff will be trained to the highest possible standards.

          The measures in this Bill will enable the Public Sector Fraud Authority to:

          • Reduce fraud against the public sector by using its expertise to take action on behalf of other departments, against those who attack the public sector.
          • Better detect and prevent incorrect payments across the public sector through new information gathering and sharing powers.
          • Use strong non-criminal sanctions and civil penalties to provide an alternative to criminal prosecution and to deter fraud.
          • Improve the government’s ability to recover public money, through new debt recovery and enforcement powers.
          • Use new powers of entry, search and seizure to reduce the burdens on the police in the most serious criminal investigations.
          • Improve fraud management in future emergencies by creating specialist time limited powers to be used in crisis management situations – building on lessons learned during COVID-19.

          The Public Sector Fraud Authority will implement a ‘test and learn’ approach when utilising these powers, piloting different approaches and expertise to find the best way to tackle public sector fraud.

          Get the latest Record Money news

          Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.

          Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here.

          You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community.





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