Public appointment: Member reappointed to the Scottish Commission on Social Security

The Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Mr Macpherson, today announced the reappointment of Mark Simpson as a Member of the Scottish Commission on Social Security

Member

Mark Simpson is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry. He carries out research and delivers teaching on social security. Since 2012 his main research interest has been social security in the context of devolution. He has published on this topic in leading academic journals including the Journal of Law and Society, Journal of Social Policy and Journal of Social Security Law. It also forms the focus of his first book, 'Social citizenship in an age of welfare regionalism: the state of the social union', which has recently been published.

Reappointment

This reappointment will be for four years and will run from 23 January 2023 to 22 January 2027

This reappointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This reappointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £225 per day for a time commitment of 36 days per annum.

Other ministerial appointments

Mark Simpson does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Mark Simpson has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCoSS) is an advisory non-departmental public body set up to provide independent scrutiny of the Scottish social security system (including benefit regulations) and hold Scottish Ministers to account.

The full functions of the Commission are set out in section 22 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018. 

The Commission is separate from the Scottish Government, and carries out its work independently of both Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.