{"id":50935,"date":"2014-12-01T09:07:50","date_gmt":"2014-12-01T09:07:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=0e683ad99976bf5ae49fdcbfabbba7de"},"modified":"2014-12-01T09:07:50","modified_gmt":"2014-12-01T09:07:50","slug":"press-release-grainne-mckeever-and-seyi-obakin-join-the-social-security-advisory-committee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=50935","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Gr\u00e1inne McKeever and Seyi Obakin join the Social Security Advisory Committee"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On 4 August 2014 the Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, announced that Gr\u00e1inne McKeever and Seyi Obakin had been appointed<\/a> as members of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC<\/abbr>). Gr\u00e1inne and Seyi replace Les Allamby and Simon Bartley who will be leaving the committee after serving on the committee for 9 years.<\/p>\n

Welcoming Gr\u00e1inne and Seyi to the committee, Paul Gray, the committee\u2019s Chair said:<\/p>\n

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Gr\u00e1inne and Seyi are very strong successors to Les Allamby and Simon Bartley, both of whom leave the committee today having made an enormous contribution to the committee\u2019s business over the past 9 years.<\/p>\n

Gr\u00e1inne and Seyi will bring valuable expertise to the committee on all social security issues but, in particular, Gr\u00e1inne will provide an important insight on developments relating to welfare reform in Northern Ireland, and Seyi will bring valuable experience relating to disadvantaged young people, especially those who are homeless.<\/p>\n

I am also delighted to announce that Colin Godbold has agreed to take on the role of Vice Chair following Les Allamby\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Taking up her position on the committee, Gr\u00e1inne McKeever said:<\/p>\n

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I am delighted to be joining the committee at a time when social security entitlement and welfare reform are such critical issues for Northern Ireland, and when the committee\u2019s role in providing constructive, independent advice is therefore so vital. I look forward to making a positive contribution to the excellent work of the committee.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Seyi Obakin added:<\/p>\n

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I am delighted to join SSAC<\/abbr> at this time. Some changes that have already taken place to the benefits system have had a profound effect on people\u2019s lives and the changes that are still to take place will have similar impact. SSAC<\/abbr>\u2019s work in offering expert and impartial advice as well as independent scrutiny has, in my view, never been more important. I am looking forward very much to contributing to that vital work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Gr\u00e1inne McKeever<\/h2>\n

Gr\u00e1inne McKeever is the Chair and Executive Director of the Law Centre, Northern Ireland, a not-for-profit specialist advice organisation. She is a Reader in Law at Ulster University, with research and teaching expertise in social justice. She is the Assistant Editor of the Journal of Social Security Law and currently teaches social security law and policy to undergraduate and postgraduate law students. Gr\u00e1inne is a Director of Ulster University\u2019s Law Clinic, through which postgraduate law students provide social security advocacy for members of the public. <\/p>\n

Seyi Obakin<\/h2>\n

Seyi Obakin is the Chief Executive of Centrepoint, a leading national charity working with young people who have experienced homelessness. He is a chartered accountant and has worked in a wide range of social housing provision. He has also been involved in research and inquiries into family life and the support families need, lifelong literacy and youth enterprise. He is currently serving as a Commissioner of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.<\/p>\n

More information<\/h2>\n

SSAC<\/abbr> is an independent advisory body of the Department for Work and Pensions. The committee\u2019s role is to:<\/p>\n