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 …
It is just a year now since I was interviewed to be a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC). This means that I have now been working as a committee member for some six months or so - …
The benefits system risks discouraging apprenticeships Different things in life evolve at different rates. That much is inevitable, but it’s still a source of trouble. Just think of all those newspaper stories about people splashing out on flash new EV …
The role of the Northern Ireland member of the Social Security Advisory Committee is twofold. First, to contribute to the Committee’s work in general including scrutinising regulations, involvement in the independent research work and wider engagement with stakeholders. Second, to …
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 …
Few challenges facing the country are more significant than ensuring our social security system provides the right support for people with disabilities and severe or chronic health conditions, supporting them to live independently and, for those who are able, to …
I’ve been a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) for around ten years, having previously been a policy director in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Last week I was pleased to see that DWP had agreed …
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 …