Steering Group

The Commission on Social Security has a project Steering Group with the members listed below.

The Steering Group is an evolution of the commission of inquiry that completed its work with publication of The Plan - for a decent social security system.  

The Steering Group is responsible for delivery of the 2022-2025 phase of the project. 

The Steering Group members were all involved in the first phase of work, apart from one new person.

The Steering Group members are all Experts by Experience, meaning they have current or recent experience of the social security system. Some members have both professional and lived experience. 

The funding for our project pays for a Project Worker to support the Steering Group and progress our funded work. Rosa Morris and Ellen Morrison-Smith job-share this position.

 

  • La Toya Grant is a Deaf activist. She has spent her life challenging the many everyday barriers to participation faced by D/deaf people and is proud to be involved in the Commission and DPAC.

  • Ellen Clifford is a disabled activist who has worked in the disability sector for over 20 years. She is on the National Steering Group for Disabled People Against Cuts.

  • Sarifa Patel is a mother, carer and grassroots campaigner for disabled people’s rights. She is vice-chair of the Alliance for Inclusive Education and co-chair of the Newham Disability Rep Forum.

  • Kate is a Researcher at the London School of Economics. Her research focuses on economic inequality and related social policies in the UK context, with a particular emphasis on working-age social security.

  • Nigel Barber represents Waltham Forest Stand Up For Your Rights. He brings experience of being on benefits since 2008 following an industrial accident. Nigel is also an active member of East London Unite Community.

  • Barry joined the Commission to make social security for himself and other people better and fairer than the current harsh approach.

  • Mike Tighe worked for twenty years in Local Government. He had a mental health crisis and has experienced Incapacity Benefit, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit. He volunteers with several mental health and claimants’ support groups.

  • Osmond James is an Expert by Experience. He has been involved in a number of claimant and community groups including Cardboard Citizens.

  • Rosa is an independent researcher having previously completed a PhD which looked at the history of out of work disability benefits and the development of the Work Capability Assessment and its impact on people. She has a long-term mental illness which has meant long periods where she was unable to work and has personal experience as a claimant for both Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance. Rosa currently also works as a coordinator and advisor at a welfare benefits clinic focused on disability benefits.

  • Ellen Morrison-Smith is a disabled person and social security claimant.

  • Maria is the Coordinator for the London Unemployed Strategies (LUS) project. LUS was set up in 2012 by unemployed people, trade unionists and their supporters. Its aim is to give social security claimants a voice for their concerns to be heard by those in power, and to be part of the change needed to give dignity and financial safety to those who rely on social security payments.