Jonathan Reynolds calls for investigation into data breach at DWP

Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, calling for an investigation into a data breach from the Department for Work and Pensions which left thousands of National Insurance numbers in the public domain for two years, said:

“There must be an urgent internal investigation into how this breach happened, why the information was in the public domain for so long and what steps the Government will be taking to restore people’s trust.

“This breach not only damages public trust in the Government but may also mean more taxpayers money is wasted due to Government incompetence.

“An apology and inquiry are urgently needed to ensure this never happens again.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• The Information Commissioner is examining the incident after more than 6,000 benefit claimants' National Insurance numbers were left online for more than two years https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-leaves-thousands-peoples-personal-22988919

• When a similar breach was committed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, each individual affected was paid a substantial sum https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6765159/Parliamentary-watchdog-faces-3m-compensation-claim-posting-salaries-3-000-staff-online.html