The number of special advisers, known as 'Spads', working directly for the Prime Minister in Downing Street increased by more than a quarter over the past year, according to recent figures. As of the end of March, there were 54 special advisers employed in No10, up from 42 a year prior. This surge contributes to an overall rise in political appointees across the government, with 159 Spads declared across departments, a jump of 29 from the end of the 2024-25 financial year.
This increase has led to a substantial rise in the salary bill for these positions, which climbed by nearly a third year-on-year, from £9.5 million to £12.4 million. The current total of 159 Spads is believed to be the highest number on record, surpassing the previous peak of 134 recorded in 2020.
Among the highest-paid special advisers are Keir Starmer's joint acting chiefs of staff, Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, who earn between £155,000 and £159,999. Other senior No10 Spads, including the Prime Minister's business adviser Varun Chandra and national security adviser Jonathan Powell, are in a similar pay bracket, earning between £150,000 and £154,999. Salaries above £81,000 are reported in £5,000 bands.
Severance costs for special advisers in the 2025-26 period were £200,000, a significant decrease from the previous year's £3.1 million, which covered payments to outgoing advisers from the preceding Conservative government. This figure includes a payment to Morgan McSweeney upon his departure from government in February.
Reports suggest that James Purnell, the new chief of staff, had considered reducing the number of Spads as an initial move. However, this proposal was reportedly abandoned, with ministers unwilling to accept limitations on the number of political appointees. Supporters of the Spad system maintain that political advice is essential for ministers' daily work and cannot be adequately provided by the civil service.