4.The Department of Social Security (“DSS”) and the Northern Ireland department hold a range of computerised records about individuals, which has been gathered for the purposes of their functions in relation to social security and other benefits. With upwards of three million people potentially eligible for free licences under the Chancellor’s proposals, it has become clear that the most effective way for the BBC to verify an applicant’s eligibility is for it to set up a data base for the purpose, by receiving an electronic copy of information held on the DSS’s and the Northern Ireland department’s data bases. The BBC can then check that the information (e.g. age, address and national insurance number) supplied by an applicant matches that on the data base, and in general need make further enquiries only where there is a discrepancy between the two sets of data. Such checks are needed in the interests of detecting mistaken or fraudulent applications for licences. The chosen system would relieve most applicants of the need to submit documentary proof of entitlement, making the application process less burdensome for them and removing a significant administrative burden from the BBC. However, neither the DSS nor the Northern Ireland department would have legal authority to disclose the necessary information without the new powers contained in this Act.
Background