SpAd
Government & Politics abbreviation · UK Government
| Stands for | Special adviser |
|---|---|
| Categories | Government & Politics |
SpAd stands for Special adviser, a UK government abbreviation.
Temporary political appointee who advises a UK government minister on policy, politics and media, paid as a civil servant but exempt from the requirement of political impartiality. Special advisers are governed by a code of conduct.
Example: A former SpAd at the Treasury said the policy was drafted in a weekend.
Usage notes
The number of SpAds has grown since the 1970s, with the Prime Minister's office employing the largest group. Some have become prominent figures in their own right, and several later served as ministers. The mixed-case spelling SpAd is standard in Whitehall and the press.
Related abbreviations
More UK government abbreviations
- PPS – Parliamentary Private Secretary
- PRA – Prudential Regulation Authority
- SDLP – Social Democratic and Labour Party
- SF – Sinn Féin
- SFO – Serious Fraud Office
- SNP – Scottish National Party
- SSP – Statutory Sick Pay
- TfL – Transport for London
- UC – Universal Credit
- UKHSA – UK Health Security Agency
- UKIP – UK Independence Party
- UKVI – UK Visas and Immigration