| Characteristic | Minister | SpAds | Civil Servants |
| Highest title | Secretary of the State (political head of department) | Political adviser | Permanent Secretary (Administrative Head of Department) |
| Numbers in 20171 | 118 | 88 | 423,0002 (of which less than 1% is Senior Civil Service) |
| Salaries in 2017 | £155,796 (Cabinet Minister £79,721 plus MP £76,011)3 | £65,000 - £140,000 Median £69,000 (and £72,000 for 32 SpAds who work for the Prime Minister) | Median £25,900 (March 2017) |
| Ascendance to office | Elected politicians (mainly) | Appointed official | Appointed official |
| Loyalty to | Party | Minister first, party second | Must serve any government of any party. No political allegiance to be displayed— neutral/impartial— “neutral on the government side” |
| Public visibility | High public profile Publicly accountable | Potentially visible outside, as well as within, Whitehall | Anonymous—expected to offer confidential and neutral advice, behind closed doors |
| Function | Runs department | Works for the Minister and government | Works in department |
| Role | Makes political decisions/policy A number of inter-related roles (advancing/defending the Government; management role) | Provide party political assistance Reviewing papers, checking facts from a party-political viewpoint Contributing to policy planning Briefing party MPs Liaising with outside interest groups | Advice on policy Prepare legislation Drafting answers to Parliamentary questions Implementing and managing policy Proactive guardians of propriety within their departments |
| Responsibility to | Parliament, for their actions and for policies directly associated with them, as well as for the actions and behaviour of their SpAd(s) | Minister | Minister |
| Tenure | Politician-Until next election Reshuffling of the Cabinet by Prime Minister—average 2 years | Temporary civil servant—dependent on ministerial tenure and favour | Permanent—do not change at time of election The average tenure in post for members of the SCS is 2 years |
| Statutory guidance | | Code of Conduct for Special Advisers (December 2016) | |