§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 354, what was the average increase in the salaries of special advisers in 1998–99; and how many special advisers are in each pay band. [79857]
§ Dr. Jack CunninghamThere was no single annual pay award for 1998–99. Special Advisers' pay was restructured as set out in my answer of 16 November 1998. The increases varied depending on the individuals, the work they are now doing compared with previously, and the extent to which their jobs and responsibilities had been restructured. There was also an attempt to correct anomalies created by the previous arrangements, particularly as regards the lowest paid Special Advisers. Performance pay, which used to apply, was dropped.
The increases was staged giving an average in year increase of 5.9 per cent. This was achieved within the pay bill for the year of £3.6 million, which the Prime Minister announced on 11 June 1998, Official Report, column 664.
The table sets out the number of Special Advisers in each of the new pay bands.
Special Advisers in each pay band £ Pay Band A Pay Band B Pay Band C 26,000–45,000 40,000–60,000 54,000–76,056 Total 30 21 15 The following three appointments are outside the Special Adviser pay range and therefore excluded from the above totals:
710W
salary Jonathan Powell Prime Minister's Chief of Staff 91,014 Alastair Campbell Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary 91,014 Keith Hellawell UK Anti Drugs Co-ordinator 106,057
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the total number of occasions when(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997. [76833]
§ Dr. Jack CunninghamBetween 2 May 1997 and 28 February 1999, my Special Advisers have made visits overseas on 14 occasions in an official capacity. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.