Department for Work And Pensions: Appointment of Nicola Smith to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC)

The Social Security Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper, has appointed Ms Nicola Smith, as a member of the SSAC for a term of three years from 1st January 2010.

Nicola Smith is a Senior Policy Officer in the Economic and Social Affairs Department of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) where she covers a range of labour market and social welfare policy. Nicola was previously responsible for the coordination of the work of the TUC’s Commission on Vulnerable Employment.  Prior to joining the TUC, she was employed as a Principal Researcher at the Centre for Economic and Social Exclusion, where she managed a range of research focusing on welfare-to-work and anti-poverty policy. Nicola has also held research and policy posts at the Children and Young People’s Unit within the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), and at Barnardo’s Policy and Research Unit.

Notes to editors

The SSAC is the advisory body for the United Kingdom on social security matters, except those relating to industrial injuries, war pensions, occupational pensions, and national insurance contributions. It has fourteen members, including the Chairman, each of whom is appointed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for a term of three years.

This appointment was made after consultation with the Trades Union Congress, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Northern Ireland Committee) and the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).

Appointments to the SSAC are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) and each appointment is overseen by an independent assessor approved by OCPA.


DWP011/10

Contacts

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk