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 …
In our report, published today, we set out to understand how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) involves disabled people in developing, delivering and evaluating programmes that affect them. There is growing recognition across public policy – from health …
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 …
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 …
The next phase of Universal Credit will see the ‘managed migration’ of almost three million people, most of whom are currently claiming tax credits or Employment Support Allowance. It is a big, complex endeavour – one that the Committee will …
Most people want to belong, to be accepted as a member or part of something - be it a club, a friendship group, a social media network – the list goes on. Why is this so? It’s because belonging is …
We’ve spent the last nine months looking at DWP’s programme for helping people in low paid work progress to better paid jobs or work extra hours. It’s not only very ambitious, it’s also contentious as it may mean asking people …
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About this blog
SSAC is an independent statutory body that provides impartial advice on social security and related matters. We scrutinise most of the complex secondary legislation that underpins the social security system.
