MPs to quiz Government’s independent social security advisors on work
The Work and Pensions Committee will take evidence from Dr Stephen Brien, Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) - the independent advisory body that scrutinises Government welfare legislation.
SSAC typically examines proposed social security regulations on behalf of the Work and Pensions Secretary to ensure that they will meet policy aims and that their impacts are fully understood before implementation. It can do this in response to Government requests to do so or proactively. However, a carve out means that scrutiny can happen after law changes have been implemented for matters the Secretary of State considers ‘urgent’. This was the case for the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility changes made in late 2024 and relaxed this year.
Meeting details
MPs on the Committee are likely to question Dr Brien, and accompanying SSAC members, Carl Emmerson and Bruce Calderwood, about the ‘urgency’ carve out and how they might respond if they felt it was being abused. They may also ask about the circumstances in which it might provide advice to Ministers on its own initiative.