The DWP has the authority to speak to neighbours of Universal Credit claimants (Image: Yui Mok/PA) Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you.
More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you.
More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified when it may contact neighbours as part of its crackdown on Universal Credit and PIP claimants. The DWP, in its efforts to combat fraud and error, has the authority to speak to neighbours of claimants, BirminghamLive reports . The DWP stated that contacting a neighbour would depend on the specifics of each case, adding: "During a DWP investigation we would not routinely seek information from a neighbour.
" "There may be exceptional circumstances where they may provide a witness statement as investigators are required by law to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry whether these point towards or away from a suspect." Read more: DWP warns of Universal Credit 'barriers' as thousands of payments stopped Read more: DWP warning for Universal Credit claimants who plan a holiday abroad The department further explained that the goal of a criminal investigation is to gather evidence to confirm or refute that a crime against the state and/or local authority has been committed, and to identify the perpetrator. However, the DWP reassured the public that neighbours would never be asked to "conduct a video surveillance", stating: "DWP carry out their own surveillance following strict guidelines laid down within the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
" The DWP continued: "It may be helpful if we explain the role of the FoI Act. It provides a legal right of access to recorded information held by a public authority like the DWP, subject to certain exemptions that may apply. "The Act does not oblige a public authority to create new information to answer questions; nor does it require a public authority to give an opinion or explanation, generate answers to questions, or create or obtain information it does not hold.
" Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow CambridgeLive Facebook Twitter Comment More On DWP.
