The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is planning to work with the London Stock Exchange (LSE), in a move that is designed to increase the departments assessments capabilities.

By analysing share price information from the LSE, the DWP will be able to accurately gauge the incomes of individuals claiming income-related state benefits who have assets tied up in stocks.

The proposed contract with the LSE will involve the provision of share price information from specific periods in time, even if the data is historically old. The planned service will allow the DWP to access the necessary records directly.