Parliament & Politics The House: Advisers' pay

THE GOVERNMENT has defended its 70-strong team of special advisers against accusations that they are overpaid and politicising the Civil Service, calling the charges "arrant nonsense". Cabinet Office minister Peter Kilfoyle told MPs at question time that advisers were earning pounds 1,000 less a year in real terms than under the Conservatives.

Today's Business:

Commons: 2.30pm: Education and employment questions; short debate on the application of the regulatory framework to the London, Tilbury and Southend railway; prorogation ceremony

Lords: prorogation ceremony