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29 October 2004 - Social Security Advisory Committee publishes seventeenth report

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) today publishes its Report for the period from August 2003 to July 2004.

The foreword by the outgoing Chairman, Sir Thomas Boyd-Carpenter, gives an overview of the changes which have taken place during his nine years chairing the Committee.

The Report includes a summary of the year’s work, including scrutiny of proposals for legislation and the Department’s information products. The Report includes the text of a Memorandum of Understanding between the SSAC and the Inland Revenue on the handling of Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance and aspects of National Insurance Contributions affecting benefit entitlement. In the course of the year the Government responded to the Quinquennial Review of the Committee by Professor Hazel Genn.

Notes for editors

  1. The SSAC is the advisory body for the United Kingdom on social security matters, except those relating to industrial injuries, war pensions, occupational pensions, national insurance and tax credits. There is informal consultation with the Inland Revenue for the latter two. 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.
  2. The Committee’s Chairman is Sir Thomas Boyd-Carpenter KBE. The other current members are Kwame Akuffo, Neil Barlow, Elisabeth Elias, Dr Angus Erskine, Richard Exell OBE, Alison Garnham, Professor Elaine Kempson, Professor Ethnie McGlauglin, Laurie Naumann, Professor Anthony Ogus CBE, Professor Janet Walker, Professor Robert Walker.
  3. The Report (priced £9.50) is published by and available from Corporate Document Services, 7 Eastgate, Leeds, LS2 7LY. Tel: 0113 399 4040, fax: 0113 399 4205, email: orderline@cds.co.uk.
  4. The Report will also be 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.

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