Analysis released today reveals that MPs have earned more than £17 million from side jobs since 2019 in addition to their parliamentary pay.
Theresa May was the highest earner out of the 20 MPs who received about two thirds of the additional income.
Conservative lawmakers earned an additional £15.2 million on top of their base pay as MPs of £84,144. David Lammy, a front-bencher and part-time radio host, earned the most for Labour.
Politicos and parliamentary consultants will no longer be allowed to work with MPs beginning in March of this year, but speeches, TV appearances, and legal work will still be permitted.
Only 20 MPs received over two thirds of the additional income, with Theresa May getting the most.
The modifications, which were made after the Standards Committee initiated a study of the laws governing second occupations in 2021, may have an impact on 30 MPs.
According to figures from Sky News and Tortoise, Mrs. May has made more than £2.55 million from outside employment since 2019, including £408,200 for six engagements at the Cambridge Speaker Series in California.
It was one of 13 organizations that paid her more than six figures for her efforts, including the prestigious Brown University and the World Travel and Tourism Council.
The former PM has stated in the register of interests that she does not keep the majority of the funds for herself, adding that they are used to pay staff, maintain my continued involvement in public life, and support my humanitarian activity.
“The office of Theresa May Ltd pays me £85,000 a year for speaking engagements, with an expected commitment of 24 hours each month, from 1 September 2020 until further notice.”
David Lammy, a frontbencher and occasional radio host, earned the most money for Labour.
Since leaving his position as prime minister in September of last year, Boris Johnson has reported earning more over £1 million, with the majority of his income coming from just four speeches given in the US, Portugal, and India.
The information shows that Geoffrey Cox, a former attorney general, received $2,191,387 from nine different law firms and a local Conservative organization.
There is also £1.8 million from Withers LLP included. Following his exposure as the British Virgin Islands tax haven’s representative last year, the barrister received calls for his resignation.
The position of attorney general is not necessarily any more time-consuming or difficult than private practice as a barrister, according to Sir Geoffrey. If serving as both a senior law officer and an MP is conceivable, it is unquestionably viable to continue selective practice at the Bar.
Former Cabinet members Sajid Javid, Sir John Redwood, Chris Grayling, and David Davis are among the high earners.
The report shows that the former attorney general Geoffrey Cox received $2,191,387 from nine different law firms and a local Conservative organization.
Mr. Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary and highest-paid Labour employee, derived a sizeable amount of his additional income from a weekly radio show deal with LBC.
Following the Owen Paterson lobbying scandal, the argument over whether it is acceptable for MPs to hold side employment was rekindled by the revelations.
When the former Northern Ireland Secretary repeatedly contacted the government on behalf of businesses paying him for consulting work, it caused fury.
According to the Standards Committee’s findings from last May, MPs should not engage in any employment that involves influencing ministers or serving as parliamentary strategists, advisers, or consultants.
Additionally, they recommended that MPs abstain from participating in legislative proceedings where outside employment would create a conflict of interest.
“My colleagues are anxious to strengthen openness and combat any cases of MP wrongdoing, such as the paid lobbying by Owen Patterson,” said Chris Byrant, chair of the Standards Committee, in response to the heightened accountability for extra income.
»£17million raked by MPs from second jobs since 2019«