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Department for Communities (Northern Ireland)

Les Allamby's early reflections of SSAC...the second time around!

Photograph of Les Allamby, Member of the Social Security Advisory Committee.

I never had a misspent youth. As a student I spent my Saturday mornings volunteering on a Durham market stall containing (then) DHSS[1] leaflets, answering basic queries and offering appointments for more complex issues. Not knowing what I wanted to …

Disability, health and social security: the importance of effective scrutiny

As I move on from being part of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) I’m doing a little reflecting. SSAC may not be the highest profile body – its activities are technical and detailed by nature - but its work …

Review of the Covid-19 temporary measures

In August 2020 we launched a review of the social security measures that had been implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland (DfC) to support those whose work, income and …

Rapid review of post-lockdown changes to social security benefits

The government response to Covid-19 has included a series of easements, adjustments and additions to social security benefit entitlements that the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has welcomed as necessary and beneficial. We recognise that the unprecedented circumstances meant many …