(2) how much severance pay was paid to political advisers who left the civil service in each year between 1997 and 2006;
(3) how the amount of severance pay paid to political advisers who leave the civil service is calculated; and what sums are involved.
The rules on severance pay, including how amounts are calculated, are set out in Section 14 of the “Model Contract for Special Advisers”, copies of which are available in the Library. Since 2002, the Government have published on an annual basis the cost of special advisers. This includes the cost of severance payments. Copies of the statements are available in the Library for the reference of Members. Information for previous years is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.