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flag The UK will gain new powers to recover benefit debts by accessing bank data and direct deductions, starting late 2025.

flag The UK’s Department for Work and Pensions has gained new powers under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Act, allowing it to access bank data and directly deduct money from accounts to recover benefit debts, including for Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and Employment and Support Allowance. flag The changes, effective after Royal Assent in late 2025, aim to reduce fraud and errors, save £1.5 billion by 2029/30, and support broader government savings goals. flag The DWP can now request up to three months of bank statements, suspend driving licences for unpaid debts over £1,000, and expand investigations to third parties. flag An independent overseer will monitor use of powers, and the government plans to hire 3,000 additional staff and boost data analytics. flag The measures target those who fraudulently claim benefits or refuse to repay overpayments they can afford, while protecting personal information and ensuring fairness for honest claimants.

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