Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister
Special Advisers 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 help Ministers on matters where the work of Government and the work of the Government Party overlap and where it would be inappropriate for permanent civil servants to become involved.
There were 20 Special Advisers in post for all or part of the 2022/23 financial year, equating to 14.6 average full-time equivalents, as set out in the table below:
|
Alex Bevan |
|
Madeleine Brindley |
|
Steffan Bryn |
|
Daniel Butler ** |
|
Ian Butler ** |
|
David Davies † |
|
Kate Edmunds |
|
Sara Faye |
|
Clare Jenkins * |
|
Owen John |
|
Andrew Johnson (last day of service 30/09/22) |
|
Colin Nosworthy ** (last day of service 22/04/22) |
|
Andy Pithouse ** |
|
Jane Runeckles * |
|
Mitchell Theaker |
|
Tom Woodward |
|
Emily Edwards** (appointed 27/04/22) |
|
David Hooson (appointed 27/03/23) |
|
Sam Hadley~ (appointed 10/10/22) |
|
Phillipa Marsden (appointed 21/11/22) |
* Senior Special Adviser pay band
** Part time
† On-call fee paid Special Adviser
~ Secondee, paid in line with Senior Special Adviser pay band
The pay bill cost for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 totalled £1,441,134.14. This includes salary and all relevant additional contributions.
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: £54,990 - £72,100
Senior Special Adviser pay band: £73,000 - £81,600
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.