Blair: 53 special advisers

Political Appointments Increase

Mr Blair confirmed that 53 special advisers are being employed by No 10 Downing Street, Cabinet ministers and departments, compared to the 38 employed by the previous government. Key appointments at No 10 are the Prime Minister's press secretary Alastair Campbell and chief of staff Jonathan Powell, while David Miliband is policy director at the influential policy unit.

The head of the Civil Service Commission, Sir Michael Bett, disclosed last week that civil service rules had been changed to allow three of the political appointees at No 10 powers to direct civil servants. Sir Michael said he did not expect the Labour Government to overstep the rules, but said he would be concerned if Tony Blair adopted the American style practice of replacing whole swathes of officials with every change of administration. Downing Street played down the significance of the increase, with sources describing the increase in the overall number of special advisers compared with the previous administration as "small."

Shadow Chief Whip, and shadow Leader of the House Alastair Goodlad said of Mr Blair's answers: "This announcement increases our concern over the politicisation of the Civil Service since Labour came to power. We want a debate on this matter as soon as possible."