A bit of a benefits nerd, I’ve been in welfare rights pretty much all my working life. I started as an adviser - first at Citizens Advice in London, moving on to Springfield psychiatric hospital and then Bristol City Council …
I wasn’t a 'Whitehall Warrior' and so thought I didn’t have a chance of being selected when I applied to become a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC)! But it turned out they welcome and encourage a breadth …
Prior to my appointment to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC), my work at the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group was primarily focused on tax and tax credits. At that time, I had developed a special interest in the tax …
I have been a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) since 2016 and, as my term comes to an end, I want to reflect on what a fascinating role it has been. When I was first appointed, I …
The Social Security Advisory Committee’s latest detailed report looks at the two contributory benefits for those of working age who are not in paid work: New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance. These have not received …
As part of our independent work programme we have recently started a detailed study into New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance. These two contributory benefits are for working age individuals who have been in paid …
Almost everyone in this country receives support from social security in the course of our lives, as a plethora of different circumstances change.[1] This may be a short-term change - perhaps a period of unemployment or ill-health - or longer …
Universal Credit is the main means-tested benefit for those with low incomes, including both those not in paid work and those with low earnings. It is conditional on claimants accepting a ‘claimant commitment’ which is designed as an agreement between …
The social security system supports people in a wide range of circumstances but it is not always clear how effective this support is. This is partly because social security can be complex and different benefits try to do different things …
In May this year, the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) published a report on the subject a particularly vulnerable group of people in our society – young people living independently. It’s an interesting phrase that. It conjures an image of …