The Minister for Work and Pensions, the Baroness Deborah Stedman-Scott OBE DL, has appointed Kayley Hignell to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).

In addition, existing member Grainne McKeever has been re-appointed to the Committee for a second term; and Jim McCormick’s current appointment has been extended to October 2020.

Confirming the appointments, Baroness Stedman-Scott said:

“I am delighted to appoint Kayley to the Social Security Advisory Committee. Her expertise and experience will enrich further the advice that the Committee provides to the DWP ministerial team.  I am also pleased that SSAC will be able to continue to draw on the expert contributions of Grainne and Jim”.

Liz Sayce, SSAC interim Chair, said:

“Kayley is a very welcome addition to the Committee. She will bring excellent knowledge and insight to our work on a broad range of issues that affect many people in our society who find themselves in vulnerable situations. I look forward to working with her.

I am also delighted that Grainne and Jim’s terms have been extended.  Both have made strong contributions to our work over the past few years, bringing important insight from Northern Ireland and Scotland into our work.  It is very good news that we will continue to benefit from their input.”

About the Committee

The Social Security Advisory Committee is an independent statutory body established in 1980. It provides advice to the Secretary of State on proposals for the amendment of secondary legislation and on general social security matters.

The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates all appointments made by the Secretary of State to SSAC. All such appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner. The code is based on 3 core principles – merit, openness and fairness.

SSAC members receive a daily fee of £256.80, for a time commitment of 2 to 3 days a month.

Business interests

Kayley Hignell

• Citizens Advice, Head of Policy for Families, Welfare and Work.

Kayley will take up her 5 year appointment on 1 June 2020.

Dr Jim McCormick

• Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Associate Director for Scotland; Chair of the independent Disability and Carers Benefits advisory group reporting to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security in the Scottish Government; and chair of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission.

Jim’s terms have been extended to 31 October 2020.

Professor Grainne McKeever

• Professor of Law and Social Justice at Ulster University; and former executive director of the Law Centre, Northern Ireland (2001 to 2020).

Grainne has been reappointed to 31 May 2024.

Email: ssac@ssac.gov.uk

Denise Whitehead, Committee Secretary 020 7829 3354

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The Environment Agency has seized a 40-metre illegal fishing net in a cross-border enforcement operation on the north east coast.

The operation saw Environment Agency fisheries officers from Yorkshire and the North East working in partnership with North Eastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority to remove the fishing net at Skinningrove in Redcar and Cleveland.

Paul Slater, Fisheries Team Leader for the Environment Agency, said:

The prohibited fishing net had the potential to capture a large number of sea trout but luckily we found it in time before it had a chance to make a significant catch.

We received a tip-off about the net, which highlights the importance of people volunteering vital information to us that ultimately helps to protect the local fishing industry.

It is illegal for individuals to fish for sea trout by net without an official licence obtained from the Environment Agency. Even during the current unprecedented times created by Covid-19, we are still actively patrolling the coastline and responding quickly to any reports of illegal netting. Our officers are wearing the appropriate protective equipment and adhering to social distancing measures.

A licensed, strictly regulated and managed sea trout fishery operates in the coastal area around the waters of Skinningrove.

But the use of unlicensed nets which illegally take salmon and sea trout from the sea whilst the fish are returning to their spawning rivers is a major concern for the Environment Agency in the North East and Yorkshire. Such nets are indiscriminate by nature and are often left for long periods of time where they not only take significant numbers of fish of all kinds, but also capture mammals and sea birds.

Those who operate unlicensed nets leave themselves open to the full force of the law. There are unlimited fines and possible prison sentences available to the courts when initiating prosecution cases.

In recent years a number of significant prosecutions have taken place in the region with one individual being fined nearly £7,000 for illegal netting in the Tyne & Wear area.

Whilst the number of illegal nets has fallen over the past decade significant numbers are still encountered by Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers, who can seize not only the netting equipment but also the captured fish. The officers also have the powers to arrest, search and seize vessels where necessary.

David McCandless, Chief Officer for North Eastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority, said:

It goes without saying that over the past 20-years we have enjoyed a close working relationship with Environment Agency officers, up and down the coast.

Given the current climate surrounding Covid-19. It’s important that members of the public are aware we are out on the coast and on the ground – carrying out active and joint enforcement activities. Particularly relating to the detection of illegal fishing and unlicensed nets, which obviously causes impact on very sensitive migratory fish stocks, but can also create hazards for members of the public and potentially cause damage to other species that get caught up in the nets.