Eluned Morgan MS, 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 2024 to 31 March 2025. This period included the cessation of the Co-operation Agreement and a change of First Minister. The total special adviser paybill therefore includes appointments by the (former) First Minister Mark Drakeford under the Co-operation Agreement, the (former) First Minister Vaughan Gething MS, and myself as First Minister.
Cost of Special Advisers
The cost of special advisers for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 was £1,571,334. This includes salary (inclusive of pay awards), employers’ national insurance contributions and pension contributions. It also includes £202,098 net cost of severance payments to special advisers arising from two separate instances during the period covered by this report.
A special adviser’s appointment automatically ends when the appointing First Minister ceases to hold that office. In accordance with the Model Contract for Special Advisers, a special adviser is entitled to receive a severance payment in these circumstances. Special advisers who are subsequently reappointed are required to repay their severance. Special advisers appointed under the Co-operation agreement were also entitled to receive a severance payment on its cessation.
Two rounds of severance payments were made during the reporting period:
- on the cessation of the Co-operation Agreement on 17 May 2024; and
- on the departure of the (former) First Minister Vaughan Gething MS on 6 August 2024 when all special adviser contracts ceased.
The net cost of severance payments made during the reporting period across the two rounds totalled £202,098 which includes amounts due for annual leave untaken and is net of any repayments.
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: £60,627 - £79,490
- Senior Special Adviser pay band: £76,000 - £92,537