How many people work at Downing Street? Prime minister Boris Johnson’s key No.10 staff - and who works there

The UK prime minister’s office is staffed with a mix of civil servants and special advisors - from principal private secretary to chief of staff
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Downing Street has been under scrutiny of late as a series of claims have been made over lockdown garden gatherings and Christmas parties.

It has come to light that a key member of prime minister Boris Johnson’s staff sent an email to Downing Street workers inviting them to a garden party in May 2020.

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England was under strict lockdown rules at the time, used to limit the spread of Covid, but while the country was told to adhere to the restrictions, could the same be said about Mr Johnson?

The PM and Downing Street said they are waiting for the findings of the inquiry into the alleged gatherings, headed up by senior civil servant Sue Gray who replaced Simon Case.

The result of her inquiry is expected to take a few weeks, but the results found will be made public, according to The Guardian.

But the latest revelations, reported by ITV News, have left many wondering how many people actually work at Downing Street and the key roles stationed there.

How many people work at Downing Street?

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The Prime Minister’s Office, also known as Downing Street and Number 10, is part of the larger Cabinet Office, which currently has just under 8,000 staff.

However, the Prime Minister’s Office has a smaller number of staff consisting of civil servants and special advisers who work closely with the PM day to day.

The highest civil post is that of principal private secretary to the prime minister, currently staffed by Martin Reynolds who is at the centre of the latest Downing Street storm.

According to reports, Mr Reynolds sent an email to more than 100 Downing Street employees inviting them to “socially-distanced drinks” in the garden of No.10 in May 2020.

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And although more than 100 people were invited, between 30 to 40 members of Downing Street staff were reportedly in attendance.

Sources told the BBC that senior Downing Street political staff intervened during the first half of 2021 to prevent events at Downing Street, and that the proposed events were suggested by staff, not politicians. These would have, allegedly, taken place when restrictions were gradually lifted.

Who works at Downing Street?

As well as the prime minister, a group of Boris Johnson’s top aides and civil servants work at Downing Street.

No.10 Downing Street is known for being the workplace of many key people connected to the prime minister, from the chief of staff to principal private secretary.

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And while it remains unclear as to who attended the party, including whether the prime minister was at the gathering, all is likely to be revealed in Sue Gray’s inquiry.

Does the prime minister live at No.10 Downing Street?

Though the prime minister’s home is traditionally described as being No.10 Downing Street, UK political leaders have tended to reside at No.11 in recent years.

Since 1997 onwards, prime ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson have chosen to live next door to where they work at No.10.

The switch is owing largely to the apartment at No.11 Downing Street being reportedly larger than the accommodation facilities on offer at No.10.

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