Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“In 2013 I piloted a Private Member’s Bill through the Assembly specifically preventing anyone with a serious criminal conviction from holding the post of Special Adviser. There were other aspects of the Bill which didn’t receive quite as much attention at the time such as making statutory provision for a Code of Appointment, Code of Conduct and an annual report on the number and cost of Special Advisers.
“This morning the annual report on the number and cost of Special Advisers for 2014/15 was laid in the Business office.
“It shows that the cost of SpAds in Northern Ireland for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 was £2,016,362.31.
“This means the average cost of each of the 19 Special Adviser to Northern Ireland Ministers is just over £106,000 a year.
“The most recent figures for Scotland and Wales are in stark contrast. The Scottish government gets by with 14 SpAds which cost a total of £1,022,396 while Wales – according to figures published last year – has just 8 costing £468,468.
“These figures underscore the need for my Private Members Bill which is currently out for consultation.
“My proposals would cut the number of SpAds and limit their pay by providing none can be paid above the salary scale applicable to an Assistant Secretary Grade 5, whose current salary band is £65,422-£78,275.
“I welcome the fact that in one department at least – DOE – there has been some attempt to manage costs with the Special Adviser there dropping from the Band B to Band A. However, the fact that this is not the case in other departments and that the bill is on an ever upward trend over all underscores the need for legislation to deal with this issue.
“I would encourage members of the public to make their views known on this matter by responding to the consultation on my Private Members Bill. People can respond online in just a few minutes at the following link. Alternatively, they can download a hard copy here.”
Note to editors
A copy of the annual report on the number and cost of Special Advisers is here.