DEPARTMENT FOR WORK
AND PENSIONS News Release (DRC-109) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 17 November 2008
The Social
Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has published its Report for
the period from August 2007 to July 2008. The report was presented
to the Committee's third 'Stakeholder Seminar',
held in London on 13 November 2006.
Introducing the report, the Committee Chairman, Sir Richard Tilt,
pointed to the Committee's commentary on the
Government's ongoing welfare reform programme, its
achievements, and the challenges posed by the economic downturn.
Expressing the Committee's concern about the impact of the
adverse conditions upon both the Department's customers and
the agencies delivering benefits and services, he suggested that
it might now be appropriate to reign back the pace of the welfare
reform programme.
Notes for editors:
The Report features a summary of the Committee's work,
including scrutiny of proposals for social security legislation
and the Department's public information products, and advice
offered to the Secretary of State on welfare reform issues generally
The SSAC is the main advisory body for the United Kingdom on
social security matters, except those relating to industrial
injuries, war pensions, and occupational pensions. There is
informal consultation with the Inland Revenue for tax credits,
national insurance and Child Benefit.
Most proposals for
social security regulations have to be submitted to the SSAC
before they are made. When the Committee reports on proposals for
regulations the report must be laid before Parliament together
with the regulations and a statement from the Secretary of State
responding to any recommendations.
The Committee's Chairman is Sir Richard Tilt. The other
current members are Kwame Akuffo, Les Allamby, Simon Bartley,
Brigid Campbell, Dr Angus Erskine, Richard Exell OBE, Alison
Garnham, Professor Elaine Kempson, Laurie Naumann, Patricia
Smail, Professor Janet Walker, Professor Robert Walker.
The Report is posted on the Committee's website: http://www.ssac.org.uk, where
further details of the Committee's remit, activities and
membership can also be found. Hard copies of the Report may be
obtained from the Committee Secretariat (0207 412 1506 or email ssac@dwp.gsi.gov.uk)
SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESS NOTICE
Date: 17
November 2008
SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Room 344,
New Court,
48 Carey Street,
London
WC2A 2LS
Direct
Line: 0207 412 1507
Email: ssac@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.ssac.org.uk