§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Prime Minister (1) how many special or political advisers to Ministers are currently employed in the civil service; in which Departments they work; and on which grades they are paid;
(2) what is the role of special advisers appointed to serve Ministers and Departments; what guidance is issued relating to the scope of such advisers to become involved in party political activity in the course of their duties; what is the salary range for such posts; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThere are currently 32 special advisers, 28 political and four expert advisers, serving Ministers in the following Departments:
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Numbers Department Political Expert Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1 — Chief Whip's Office 1 — Defence 1 — Education 1 — Employment 1 — Environment 2 2 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2 — Health 1 — Home Office 2 — Lord Privy Seal 1 — Northern Ireland Office 1 — Office of Public Service and Science 1 — Prime Minister's Office 4 — Lord President 1 — Scottish Office 2 — Social Security 1 — Trade and Industry 1 2 Transport 1 — HM Treasury 2 — Welsh Office 1 — Political advisers assist Ministers with that part of their work which is partly governmental and partly political, and expert advisers complement advice given to Ministers by their Departments with that of their particular professional fields. In the course of their duties, advisers are subject to the same rules of conduct as other civil servants. Special advisers are bound generally by the rules on political activity applicable to civil servants, but with specific exemptions. They may, with the approval of their Ministers, attend party functions and maintain contact with party members, and take part in policy reviews undertaken by the party. In addition, and also subject to approval by their Minister, special advisers are allowed to undertake all forms of local political activity, apart from local activities in support of national political activities.
Salaries for special advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, and are confidential. They are, however, normally paid on a special advisers' salary spine of 34 points ranging from £19,503 to £67,609. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.