HL Deb 25 July 2002 vol 638 cc122-3WA
Baroness Serota

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What the cost is of the pay bill for special advisers in 2001–02; what are the pay bands for 2002–03; and how many special advisers there are in each pay band, broken down by department. [HL5596]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

The pay bands and pay ranges for special advisers for 2002–03 are as follows:

  • Scheme Maximum: £128,125
  • Pay Band 4: £76,876 to £92,250
  • Pay Band 3 and Premium: £57,401 to £89,175
  • Pay Band 2: £45,101 to £58,240
  • Pay Band 1: £34,851 to £45,760
  • Pay Band 0: Up to £34,850

At 22 July 2002, the number of special advisers in each pay band by department is as follows:

Department 0 1 2 3 4
No 101 6 6 11 2
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister2 2 1
Chief Whip's Office 1 2
Culture, Media and Sport 1
Defence 1
Education and Skills 1 1
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 1
Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2
Health 2
Home Office3 4
International Development4
Leader of the House of Lords5 1 1
Lord Chancellor's Department 1
Northern Ireland Office 2
President of the Council 2
Department 0 1 2 3 4
Scotland Office 1 1
Trade and Industry6 1 1 1
HM Treasury7 8 1 1 2 1
Transport9 1
Wales Office 1
Work and Pensions10
Total 13 26 21 4

The cost of special advisers in 2001–02 is £5.1m.

1Plus two special advisers who are paid beyond Pay Band 4 but still within the scheme.

2Provision for three full-time posts but currently only 2.5 special advisers employed.

3Includes one special adviser who is part-time.

4One special adviser has been appointed but the job has not yet been evaluated.

5Includes one part-time special adviser who provides advice to the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

6Plus one adviser who is part-time and unpaid.

7Includes the Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury.

8Plus the five members of the Council of Economic Advisers who are employed on special adviser terms (one in Band 4, three in Band 3 and one in Band 1—one is part-time).

9Plus one special adviser who has been appointed but the job has not yet been evaluated.

10One special adviser has been appointed but the job has not yet been evaluated.