Finance

DWP to carry out targeted bank checks on benefit claimants

Published

4 months ago

February 7, 2026

New anti-fraud powers will allow officials to ask banks to flag savings rule breaches

MILLIONS of people claiming benefits could soon have their bank accounts checked under new government powers aimed at cutting fraud and payment errors.

The changes will allow the Department for Work and Pensions to ask banks and building societies to flag accounts that appear to break savings or eligibility rules for certain benefits.

Officials insist the move is about accuracy rather than surveillance, but privacy campaigners have warned it represents a significant expansion of the state’s financial oversight.

The system is expected to roll out in stages this year.

Who is affected

The checks will initially apply to people receiving:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

The State Pension is not included.

Under current rules, most Universal Credit claimants cannot have more than £16,000 in savings. If a bank’s data suggests that limit has been exceeded, the case may be referred back to the DWP for review.

How it will work

Rather than giving the government direct access to bank accounts, financial institutions will be sent formal “eligibility verification” requests.

Banks will check their own records and only report back where accounts appear to breach the rules.

They will not share spending histories or transaction lists.

Only limited details — such as account numbers, names and confirmation that a threshold may have been crossed — can be passed on.

No automatic benefit cuts

The DWP says payments will not be stopped automatically.

Any flagged case will be assessed by a member of staff before action is taken.

However, if someone is found to be ineligible for one benefit, related support could also be reassessed.

The government argues the approach could prevent people unknowingly building up large overpayments which later have to be repaid.

The National Audit Office has previously urged better data sharing to reduce mistakes and fraud in the welfare system.

Safeguards promised

Ministers say the powers will be tightly controlled, with:

annual reports to Parliament
a formal code of practice
strict data limits under UK GDPR
penalties for banks that share too much information

A DWP spokesperson said the aim was to ensure people are “paid the right amount at the right time”.

What claimants should do

Anyone receiving benefits is advised to keep their details up to date and report changes to savings, income or living arrangements promptly.

Failing to declare changes could result in investigations, repayment demands or penalties.

For most claimants, the department says, nothing will change — but those close to savings limits may want to double-check their position.

Charity

Local insurance brokers help raise over £1,300 for Bluebirds Foundation

Published

3 days ago

May 20, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

The Haverfordwest County AFC Bluebirds Foundation is celebrating a £1,300 boost this month thanks to local insurance brokers Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking.

A recent fundraising day raised £653.64, which was fund matched by the insurance broker’s parent company, the Benefact Group, doubling the amount to over £1,300.

Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking St Clears are sponsors of Haverfordwest County AFC
which includes supporting the charitable arm of the club, Bluebirds Foundation. The Foundation focuses on the prevention of poverty and strengthens the bond between the
football club and local people, including launching junior supporter clubs and community
brunch clubs.
Harry Thomas, aTrustee at Bluebirds Foundation said:
“We are extremely grateful to Lloyd & Whyte for further enhancing the funds raised at
our Foundation Fundraiser, held at the Ogi Bridge Meadow in collaboration with
Haverfordwest County AFC and we look forward to working closely with Lloyd & White again at future events.”
Leyla Phillips stated:
“Events like this show what community is all about. I think it’s great what the
Bluebirds foundation are doing locally for Pembrokeshire, and it was a pleasure to be
a part of it. Being part of Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking and the Benefact Group
made it even more special as we are proud to match all funds that were raised on the day which I’m sure will be a nice addition for the foundation, to enable them to carry
on doing great initiatives within our community.’’
The funday event saw bouncy castles, cake stands, a raffle, shirt swap stand, kick-up
competitions, and inflatable goal, alongside the normal match day activities, all providing
hours of fun for spectators and supporters.

And to top it all, Haverfordwest County AFC won 6-0 on the day against Llanelli Town AFC.

Education

£1,500 cash bursary announced for aspiring local youngsters

Published

3 days ago

May 20, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

FOLLOWING its previous success, Ceredigion Youth Service is fortunate to accept another opportunity provided by West Wales Holiday Cottages to support young people with a cash bursary this year.

The purpose of the bursary is to provide young people aged between 11 and 25 with the chance to receive £1,500 to help with their future aspirations. The successful applicant(s) will be chosen by Ceredigion Youth Forum, which is a panel made up of young people from Ceredigion.

Gwion Bowen, Senior Support Officer Participation, said: “We are very grateful to West Wales Holiday Cottages for providing us with this opportunity for young people in Ceredigion for the ninth year in succession. Like ourselves, West Wales Holiday Cottages recognise that many young people living in Ceredigion may experience difficulties in accessing training, support and social activities due to socio-economic issues. The bursary was extremely successful last year, with a young person gaining financial support to help them with their mobile beauty start up business.”

Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet for Schools and Lifelong Learning, said: “I would like to encourage anyone aged between 11 and 25 who needs financial support to reach their goals to consider this fantastic opportunity. As with previous years, I hope that the bursary is a success again this year, and that it will benefit young people in Ceredigion.”

Lisa Stopher, Managing Director at West Wales Holiday Cottages said, “West Wales Holiday Cottages are delighted to be supporting the bursary once again in partnership with Ceredigion Youth Service. We recognise that many young people can face barriers when accessing opportunities, training and resources, and we hope this bursary will continue to make a positive difference by giving young people the support they need to pursue their goals and aspirations.”

Do you need financial support to reach your goals? Would you benefit from having financial support to help you with training or equipment that is required for your chosen vocation? Are you looking for support to start your own enterprise? Are you a member of a community group and looking for financial support to purchase resources or equipment?

The closing date for applications is midnight on 19 July 2026. If you’re interested, contact Gwion Bowen on 07790 812939 or e-mail [email protected] for an application form.

Education

Ashmole & Co fund future accountants with financial donation to primary school

Published

3 days ago

May 20, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

CARMARTHENSHIRE’S would-be mathematicians are being given a major boost in their careers thanks to an Ashmole & Co donation to Ysgol Llandybie Primary School.

The donation, funded by the company’s Ammanford office, will help with the annual purchase of the online MyMaths resource which uses the online resource to help pupils and parents with the teaching of maths at home as well as allowing teachers to set tasks and provide them with tutorials to show them the mathematical concepts being taught.
The programme can assist in all areas of mathematics from shape to space, and from data to financial literacy.

Laura Craddock, Partner in Ashmole & Co’s Ammanford office, said, “We are always keen
to offer our support locally. We are more than happy to help fund the online resource
MyMaths to help train the local accountants of the future from a young age.”

Llandybie Primary School Head Teacher, Rhian Pritchard, said, “We are keen to continue
using online resources to enhance our pupils’ learning experience but they come at an extra
cost. We are grateful to Ashmole and Co for the donation which will enable us to continue
the provision of online maths learning.”