the Relationship between Ministers and Civil Servants Flashcards
What is the average ministerial term?
2 years
In what 5 ways are civil servants “masters” rather than “servants”?
- They control information denying ministers of essential facts
- Ministers have too many other commitments
- Top civil servants outnumber ministers 10:1
- Civil servants can network and hold informal meetings
- top civil servants tend to outlive minsters who usually last 2 years
Who pays special advisers?
the tax payer
What are most special advisers?
civil servants
What are special advisers not bound by?
They are not bound by the traditional civil service principles
Who are special advisers appointed by?
the government
How do special advisers differ from civil servants? (3)
- partisan (not impartial)
- public figures (not anonymous)
- appointed ono fixed term contracts (not permanent)
What are the 2 broad roles of special advisors?
1) to make government less reliant on the work of the civil service
2) to help the PM keep up to date with often far better staffed and resourced government departments
How many special advisors has each minister traditionally been able to appoint?
2
Which government used extensive use of special advisors?
Labour 1997
By 2003 how many special advisors were there compared to 1990?
2003-108
1990-5
Out of the 108 special advisors in 2003 how many were prime ministerial advisors and how many were government advisors?
27-prime ministerial
81 government advisors
