Civil servants could soon gain easy access to your files. Photo Brian A. James_shutterstock.com
Government plans to “crack down on fraud” are revealed in a new fraud bill making its way through Parliament. Among other measures are powers to effectively spy on private bank accounts.
Middle-ranking civil servants will be able, without a court order or ministerial approval, to request personal information from banks about someone’s account. All that is required is a “reasonable belief” that money is owed to the taxpayer, then money can be extracted and accounts frozen.
Banks will not even have to inform customers that their accounts have been accessed. The move echoes similar powers sought by the DWP earlier this year to look at benefits claimants’ accounts.
The bill is being considered by the House of Lords, and attracting a great deal of concern, but however it is eventually amended, it gives an insight into what Labour perceives as strength. Governments seeking such prying powers may wish to appear authoritative, but they are simply authoritarian.