The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to gain new powers to directly access bank accounts and wages in a major reform of combatting fraud. The measures, introduced by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, aim to tackle suspected benefit fraudsters, crack down on welfare fraud and save £1.6billion over the next five years through the enhanced powers. Kendall unveiled plans to update the department’s “outdated” investigatory tactics, which have remained unchanged for two decades. The proposed measures, to be introduced in the upcoming Fraud, Error and Debt Bill, will also push pri…