Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, The First Minister
Special advisers are an important part of the team supporting Ministers. They add a political dimension to the advice and assistance available to Ministers while reinforcing the political impartiality of the permanent Civil Service by distinguishing the source of political advice and support.
They are appointed by the First Minister to serve the First Minister and Government as a whole. They work closely alongside Civil Servants to deliver the Government’s priorities. They can help Ministers on matters where the work of Government and the work of the governing party overlap where it would not be appropriate for permanent Civil Servants to become involved.
The information in this report covers the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. All decisions relating to appointments of Special Advisers during this period were taken by the former First Minister.
Cost of Special Advisers
The cost of special advisers for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 was £1,407,438 (2024-25 = £1,571,334). This includes salary (inclusive of pay awards), employers’ national insurance contributions and pension contributions. It also includes a payment made to a resigning Special Adviser for annual leave that they were unable to take during the course of their employment. No severance payments were made to Special Advisers in this period.
Special Adviser Pay Bands
Welsh Government Special Advisers are appointed in accordance with the standard Special Adviser pay band or the Senior Special Adviser pay band. These pay bands are:
- Standard Special Adviser pay band: £62,870 - £82,431
- Senior Special Adviser pay band: £81,000 - £95,544