§ Mr. VazTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement concerning the cost to public funds of employing ministerial special advisers in his Department.
§ The Prime MinisterThere are five special advisers in No. 10 Downing street.
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 or, in some cases, at a rate appropriate to a relevant civil service grade. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.