Motorists who have received three types of benefits could have their driving licences taken away under strict new rules.
Driving licences could be taken off some benefit claimants (Image: Getty)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could take driving licences from some benefit claimants under a new crackdown from Labour. A new policy could see licences taken away from individuals understood to be associated with benefit fraud or given benefits by mistake.
Those who have fraudulently received payments such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Pension Credit will be affected. Under the changes approved by Labour this week, the DWP can apply for driving licences to be suspended by courts if individuals owe welfare debts above the value of £1,000 and have ignored repayment demands.
Fraudsters trying to dodge benefit repayments could be caught out (Image: Getty)
The DWP previously said: “In the most serious cases, where an individual repeatedly and persistently evades repayment and the debt balance is more than £1,000, DWP may consider an application to the court to temporarily disqualify the debtor from holding a driving licence to secure repayment. Like the new powers for deduction orders, this will only apply to those no longer on benefit or in PAYE employment.”
Earlier this year, Work and Pensions Minister Alison McGovern explained that removing driving licences provided an additional “tool in the box” to chase benefit fraudsters. She added that the disqualifying road users would provide an extra “backstop” to chase repayment from those determined to “evade collection”.
As well as removing driving licences, the new plan will include powers to force banks to hand over bank account information about benefit claimants to help investigations.
According to the DWP, driving licences could be take away for as much as two years, but courts must consider a range of criteria before going ahead and stripping photocards.
Licences could be taken off road users for as much as two years (Image: Getty)
The DWP added: “When considering the disqualification, the court must first determine that the debtor had the means to repay their debt to DWP but did not – without a reasonable excuse.
“The court must also consider whether the debtor has an essential need to drive, including for work or, for instance, to fulfil caring responsibilities.
“The disqualification will always be suspended, subject to the debtor complying with repayment terms set out by the court. The debtor can avoid the actual disqualification by maintaining those repayments.
“If they fail to do so without good reason, disqualification can occur which will last up to two years and will end early when/if the money owed to DWP is repaid.”
