Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed a new driving licence rule coming into force from October, as he steps down as Prime Minister. Under the Labour government, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is advancing its crackdown on welfare fraud, with new laws allowing direct deductions from bank accounts and, in serious cases, court-ordered removal of driving licences from persistent debt dodgers.
New Powers to Claw Back Debts
From October, the DWP will be able to go directly to a person's bank to recover owed cash without needing a court order. For the most serious cases, courts can strip persistent offenders of their driving licence. Debtors will begin receiving updated letters from today, warning them to contact the DWP and pay up.
This is part of the government's commitment to save £14.6 billion over the next five years through fraud, error, and debt activity, Labour has confirmed.
Minister's Statement
DWP minister Andrew Western said: "Hardworking taxpayers deserve a system that pursues those who deliberately dodge their debts, and that is exactly what these new powers deliver. To anyone with an outstanding debt - our door is open and DWP will always work with you to find an affordable way to repay. But for those who can pay and won’t - we’re going further than ever before to claw back cash and crack down on fraud."
Starmer's Resignation and Future
Starmer resigned as Prime Minister on Monday but will remain the MP for Holborn and St Pancras. Downing Street confirmed he is not expecting to take a role in Andy Burnham’s cabinet if offered, though some MPs have suggested Burnham could make Starmer foreign secretary. His spokesperson said Starmer would serve out the remainder of his term in the Commons and "going to remain" a Labour MP. Asked about a cabinet job, the spokesperson said Starmer told his cabinet: "This is the end of my journey, but this is not the end of yours."
