Eluned Morgan 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, including appointments related to the previous Co-operation Agreement.
There were 18 Special Advisers in post for all or part of the 2023/24 financial year, equating to 14 average full-time equivalents, as set out in the table below:
| Alex Bevan* |
| Madeleine Brindley |
| Steffan Bryn (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| Daniel Butler ** (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| Ian Butler ** (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| David Davies † (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| Kate Edmunds (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| Emily Edwards** |
| Sara Faye |
| Sam Hadley~ |
| Mark Hooper** (appointed 25 September 2023) |
| David Hooson |
| Clare Jenkins * (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| Owen John (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| Phillippa Marsden |
| Jane Runeckles* (last day of service 20 March 2024) |
| Mitchell Theaker (last day of service 3 April 2023) |
| Dafydd Trystan**~ (appointed 12 February 2024) |
| Tom Woodward |
* 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 2023 to 31 March 2024 totalled £1,772,135. This includes salary and all relevant additional contributions.
Due to the departure of the (former) First Minister Mark Drakeford MS on 20 March 2024, the contracts for all Special Advisors ceased. Included within the total amount above are severance payments of £479,715, in line with the terms of the Model Contract for Special Advisors. On reappointment of certain Special Advisors £189,079 severance payments will be recovered and were accrued for recovery at the year-end within figures above. The total net cost of severance payments to former Special Advisers in 2023-24 was £290,636.
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: £57,740 - £75,705
Senior Special Adviser pay band: £75,000 - £88,130