§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the cost of special advisers employed by the Government on a departmental basis for each of the years 1989–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01; and what is their estimated cost for the current financial year. [HL3040]
§ The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)The Government have already announced introduction of a new pay system for special advisers from June 2001 based on individual job evaluation. The salary costs for the current financial year will be provided once the process of job evaluation is completed.
For the other years in question, the approximate total cost including pension contributions for each year was:
- 1998–99: £3.5 million
- 1999–2000: £4.0 million
- 2000–01: £4.4 million