Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2016 to Question 42517, how many members of staff who are in receipt of a private secretary allowance are Senior Civil Servants.

There are currently 11 members of the Senior Civil Service who are in receipt of a private secretary allowance. Staff at Band B2 or above who currently work in the Private Office of a Director General, Permanent Secretary or Minister are entitled to receive the Private Office allowance. The authorisation process is robustly enforced within the department, with accountability resting with the Head of Private Office Group.