Guarantee State Pension
For all pensioners,
old and new - forever
never bring about means-testing to claim state pension
Turn National Insurance Fund only into universal National Insurance Pension Scheme (prior name State pension), which would be people owned as a mutual, turning it into a human right contract, and never means-tested.
- Immediately End (repeal)
the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
Background
Prem Sikka @premnsikka. Dec 5, 2023
Tories have classified state pension as a benefit. Very sinister .
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Thanks (Labour MP Chris Bryant). Your words in the chamber were "We support the Bill”.
It would be helpful to know why the Labour front bench did not commit to repealing surveillance of the bank accounts of the benefit claimants. I am sure people would welcome clarity.
On 29 November 2023, the the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill was passed by the House of Commons by 269 to 31 votes.
It gives Ministers and government agencies powers to direct businesses, particularly banks, and financial institutions, to mass monitor individuals receiving welfare payments, even when there is no suspicion or any sign of fraudulent activity. No court order is needed and affected individuals will not be informed. The Bill enables Ministers to make any further regulations without a vote in parliament.
You are right Stephen. Govt is putting people, mainly the poor, under mass financial surveillance. The worse thing is that Labour did not oppose. Chris Bryant, speaking for Labour, said “We support the Bill” and all Labour MPs abstained. There was no promise to repeal.
Sir Stephen Timms
@stephenctimms. Dec 3, 2023
Ministers last week rushed an amendment through the Commons, allowing it to look into the bank account of everybody claiming State Pension. Their only reason was that it might be useful one day. The only change which could make it useful would be to means test the State Pension
https://twitter.com/premnsikka/status/1731625123256377599
Farrukh @implausibleblog Dec 4, 2023
Stephen Timms, "New clause gives government the power to inspect the bank accounts of anyone claiming a social security benefit: child benefit, state pension, universal credit”
"Why is the government bringing these powers forward now, with zero scrutiny? The state has always had powers concerning benefits fraud, this proposal for surveillance when there is no suspicion at all, is a substantial expansion of the state’s power to intrude”
“The amendment gives the government extremely broad powers, with no checks in place, and it’s being done in a way that minimises parliament scrutiny. And I find it hard to see how it can be defended”
https://twitter.com/implausibleblog/status/1731616907248173247
HANSARD - Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
Volume 741: debated on
Wednesday 29 November 2023
Below Toggle showing location of
Sir Stephen Timms
(East Ham) (Lab)
My reading of the proposed new schedule is that it gives the Department the power to look into the bank accounts of people claiming the state pension. Am I right about that?
From Benefits and Work website
..."The new surveillance powers for the DWP appear to enjoy cross party support. Only 51 MPs voted against the amendment, with 30 of those being SNP and just 7 each from Labour and the Lib Dems."...
..."The new system will begin to be rolled out in 2025, though all banks may not be fully involved before 2030."... "Initially the DWP say that they will use their powers to oblige the UK’s top 15 banks"...