Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to support benefits claimants who are being investigated by her Department but no longer have access to required information because it has been deleted by their bank.

Where DWP is conducting a criminal investigation into suspected fraud it may request relevant information from third parties. Information received may be presented as evidence if that investigation proceeds to prosecution. Requests for information must comply with DWP’s statutory Code of Practice.

Where an individual is asked to provide information to the department, they should endeavour to provide it unless there is a reason that they cannot. If they are dissatisfied with the service they have received, they should raise the issue with the team handling their case. If they do not feel they have received a satisfactory service, they can raise this with the Independent Case Examiner.

DWP’s complaints procedure can be found here.