Judith Paterson joins the Social Security Advisory Committee

1 Sep 2014 03:50 PM

Judith Paterson takes up her appointment on the Social Security Advisory Committee yesterday (1 September 2014).

On 4 August 2014 the Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, announced that Judith Paterson had been appointed as a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

Welcoming Judith to the committee, Paul Gray, the committee’s Chair said:

I am looking forward to working with Judith. She will bring valuable experience and insight to the committee at an important period in the roll out of the government’s welfare reform programme.

Taking up her position on the committee, Judith Paterson added:

I very much look forward to contributing to SSAC’s vital work providing independent scrutiny and comment on changes to the benefit system that have a direct impact on individuals and families living on low incomes.

Judith has worked in the field of social security law and advice for more than 25 years and is currently leading a Scotland-wide, second tier welfare rights service for the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland. Her work involves contributing to social policy work and analysing legislation and issues arising from casework for their impact on individuals, families and services.

About the committee

SSAC is an independent advisory body of the Department for Work and Pensions. The committee’s role is to give advice on social security issues, scrutinise and report on social security regulations (including tax credits) and to consider and advise on any matters referred to it by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions or the Northern Ireland Department for Social Development.

SSAC members receive a daily fee of £256.80, for a time commitment of around two days per month. Members are appointed for a period of 3 years.

The committee’s Chair is Paul Gray. Its membership comprises Les Allamby, John Andrews, Simon Bartley, Adele Baumgardt, John Ditch, Keith Faulkner, Colin Godbold, Chris Goulden, Matthew Oakley, Judith Paterson, Nicola Smith and Diana Whitworth. Its expert adviser on Scotland is Jim McCormick.

Public appointments

The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates all appointments made by the Secretary of State to the SSAC. All such appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice published by the commissioner. The code is based on 3 core principles – merit, openness and fairness.

More information

For more information, contact Denise Whitehead, Committee Secretary, on 020 7829 3354.