Campaign Groups Warn ‘Welfare Surveillance’ Proposals Could See People’s Bank Details Shared With State

MPs are to vote on a bill which will could give the state powers go through the bank statements of Britain’s poor on a regular basis.

File photo dated 18/12/2014 of the Department for Work & Pensions office in London. John Stillwell/PA Wire

An upcoming bill that could give the state extra powers to carry out checks on those who claim benefits is “welfare surveillance,” that will force banks to monitor millions of bank accounts on an unprecedented level, say privacy campaigners.

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill is due to be voted through the report stage in House of Commons on Wednesday. It is a few steps away from becoming law, as it needs to pass the Lords and Final Stages.