Appointments to the Social Security Advisory Committee January 2026
The Social Security Advisory Committee welcomes 2 new members.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has appointed the following new members to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC):听
- Richard Machin
- Owen McCloskey
Both听have been appointed to听serve a five-year term, starting on 1 January 2026.听
Confirming the appointments, DWP Minister of听Lords, Baroness Sherlock OBE, said:听听
Richard and Owen bring a wealth of听expertise听and fresh perspectives that will strengthen the Committee鈥檚 ability to provide insightful and balanced advice. Their experience will be invaluable as we continue to shape policies that make a real difference to people鈥檚 lives.听
Dr Stephen Brien, Chair of SSAC, added:听
I am delighted to welcome Richard and Owen to the Committee. Their impressive skills and diverse viewpoints will enrich our discussions and help us tackle the complex issues that affect so many in society. I look forward to working closely with them as we continue our important work.
About the Committee听
Established in 1980, the Social Security Advisory Committee is an independent statutory body. It provides advice to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on proposals for the amendment of secondary legislation and on general social security matters.听
The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates all appointments made to鈥�SSAC鈥痓y the Secretary of State. All such appointments are made听in accordance with听the鈥�Governance Code for Public Appointments.听
SSAC鈥痬embers receive a daily fee of 拢256.80, for a time commitment of 2 to 3 days a month.
About the appointees听
Richard Machin听
Richard is an experienced social policy academic and Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University, with a background in welfare rights, social security, and policy research. He has extensive听expertise听in social welfare law, poverty, and the impact of social security reforms.听His recent research has focused on the effects of听COVID-19 on low-income households, leading to his appointment as an expert witness at the COVID-19 Inquiry.听
Richard has worked in local government, the voluntary and advice sectors. He is a Trustee for the Church Action on Poverty and actively contributes to national policy debates on social security and poverty combining academic insight with practical experience in welfare rights and money advice.听
Richard听has been appointed from 1听January 2026听to听31听December听2030.听
Owen McCloskey听
Owen is a practicing solicitor听who听specialises in social security and is currently serving as the Head of Social Security at Law Centre NI. In this role Owen supervises a team that provides advice and representation in complex matters that help provide a wider understanding of the law. With extensive experience, including test case litigation, Owen has a background in the development of accessible training materials and supervising volunteer representatives in Social Security appeals.
His academic qualifications include a law degree and a听Master鈥檚 degree in criminology, and he has contributed to various听forums听and publications aimed at improving social security and benefits decision-making.
Owen is a Justice First Fellow who is committed to using legal education to promote access to justice. He provides teaching at both听universities in Northern Ireland supporting the clinical legal experience of law students.听Owen is also an independent member of the Social Security Standards Committee in Northern Ireland.听
Owen听has been appointed听from 1听January 2026听to听31 December听2030.
颁辞苍迟补肠迟鈥�SSAC听
Social Security Advisory Committee听
7th Floor Caxton House听
Tothill Street听
London听
SW1H 9NA听
贰尘补颈濒:鈥�ssac@ssac.gov.uk听
Committee Secretary: 0300 046 0323