The scrutiny of special advisers
b'Special advisers play an essential role throughout government. But is their role about to change? With the government altering the way that special advisers are employed, how they are organised across government departments, and the extent to which they report to Number 10, special advisers \\u2013 and the role play \\u2013 could find themselves under increased scrutiny.\\n\\nThis event looked at how much influence special advisers have over public policy, how their work is scrutinised and what role their minister plays in holding them to account. The event is part of our wider work looking into the role of special advisers, and evaluating current changes the government is making to their work.\\n\\nOn our panel to discuss these issues were:\\n\\nGavin Barwell, former Downing Street Chief of Staff\\nRt Hon David Lidington, former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster\\nPolly Mackenzie, Chief Executive of Demos and former Director of Policy to the Deputy Prime Minister\\nDr Catherine Haddon, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government\\n\\nThe event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.'