In photo Prem Sikka and Bryn Davies, two Lords who are actually doing their jobs scrutinising the Data Protection Bill.
I hope that more people watch this video that were watching in the Upper House, because what is under discussion is the right for the DWP to look at up to 23m people’s bank accounts in the hope of detecting fraud.
The Government say this will save the tax-payer between £600m and £500m over the next five years (figures vary according to which Minister is making the claim). As Lord Sikka drily remarks, Government estimates on HS2 aren’t that reliable either.
At the nub of this are Clause 128 and Section 11 which would give “Government unlimited powers to snoop”.
This is taking a liberty with our civility by taking away our civil liberties. It doesn’t even seem to be of much value. It will create a lot of aggravation for those who least need it and it will be easily sidestepped by the real fraudsters.
In short it is a showboating policy which could have lasting consequences as any “benefit” claimant (including state pensioners who are claiming a right not a benefit) will be at the mercy of state blackmail. This includes the majority of those who attend the House of Lords and the majority of Lords who don’t (too many).
Prem is no shrinking violet, this is how he introduces his video
George Orwell’s “1984” set to become reality in the UK in 2024. Big brother (the state) will have unrestrained power to snoop on your bank accounts.
This is my speech (text is in the House of Lords Hansard) in the House of Lords on Second Reading of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. The Bill, already passed by the House of Commons, gives the the government unrestrained powers for 24/7 surveillance of the bank accounts of anyone receiving social security benefits and state pension.
No other group, including money launderers and tax dodgers, is targeted at the moment. Only the sick, disabled, poor, elderly and the unfortunate are targeted. Big brother unleashed on more than 22.4m people. No court order is needed. Persons affected won’t be told. Privacy rights quashed.
Thanks Prem and thanks to all the Lords and Ladies who turn up (as they are paid to do).
If you’d like to read what he has to say, the transcript is downloadable from the YouTube site.
The entitlement to many benefits is based on various criteria plus sufficient National Insurance having been paid. What then is the distinction between the State Pension and benefits?
£100m a year in savings?
The equivalent of the average tax payer finding 10p down the back of the sofa.
So the average tax payer has their valuable and private financial data snooped on by “trusted partners” or “legitimate interests” in return for lucrative “friends” contracts through government, all to save them 10p?
There is an irony that this policy is designed to stop certain people gaming a system for their own interests.
Hello Henry,
Happy New Year
I ‘Liked this’ re the above. Unfortunately there is no link to the appropriate site.
Is there another route to that website when this occurs?
Kind regards,
Tim Simpson
Tim, try https://youtu.be/p4Ugp4ZC_y8