Would £10 solve your financial challenge this Christmas? Would an extra 25p a week take the pressure off your cost of living? Do you think you could find somewhere to rent if rents keep going up but your rent allowance …
Once in a while, research hits a sweet spot of relevance and timeliness, in tune with the direction of governmental policy. A recent example is SSAC’s occasional paper No. 27 ‘The influence of the social security system on educational and …
Since joining the Social Security Advisory Committee in September last year, I’ve been hugely impressed by the depth of expertise and the breadth of experience that the Committee benefits from. My colleagues on the Committee don’t just bring a wide …
For as long as I can remember, and probably a long time before that, ‘our ageing society’ has been a ubiquitous phrase. Despite recent wobbles, life expectancy is far higher than it was a couple of generations ago, and more …
I was delighted to be appointed to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in January 2026. SSAC is an independent statutory body that provides impartial advice on social security related matters. It scrutinises the majority of complex secondary legislation that underpins …
It feels slightly surreal to be writing this. After eight years as the Wales member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC), I’m stepping away. That’s long enough for the role to stop being “new” and start feeling like part …
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) exists to provide impartial advice to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the wider ministerial team on the social security system. As part of our independent work programme we have just …
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) laid emergency regulations last week to ensure that people recently evacuated by the government from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories could apply for means-tested, disability and carer benefits straight away. Without these …
It is not uncommon that the Social Security Advisory Committee's recommendations, while not wholly accepted at the time they are made, feature in some shape or form in policy announcements in the years that follow. The Secretary of State for …
I joined the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) in January 2025 and it is an extremely rewarding role. We get involved in many aspects of the welfare system, not just scrutinising secondary legislation but receiving updates on various aspects of …