MPs rake in £5.3m from second jobs with ex-PMs among biggest earners

MPs rake in record £5.3m from second jobs with former prime ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson among the biggest earners, research shows

  • Former PM Theresa May was one of the highest earners with a six-figure salary
  • Boris Johnson is believed to be making thousands on after-dinner speech circuit
  • The Government pledged to regulate MPs’ second jobs more effectively last year
  • But plans to cap these earnings were dropped in March

MPs earned a record £5.3million from second jobs over the past year despite the Government promising a crackdown.

Two-thirds of MPs, who made more than £2,000 the previous year, earned an equal or greater amount in the 12 months to September, research found.

Several ex-Cabinet ministers have taken roles in areas they used to oversee in Government, with former attorney general Geoffrey Cox earning more than £1million in fees as a barrister. 

Former prime minister Theresa May was one of the highest earners with a six-figure salary while Boris Johnson is believed to be making thousands on the after-dinner speech circuit

Former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson, who resigned from another Cabinet job this month amid bullying allegations, served as chairman of an advisory board for a private education group since June.

He was set to receive an annual salary of £50,000 for 80 hours’ work, but it is believed he left the role after becoming a minister in October. 

Several ex-Cabinet ministers have taken roles in areas they used to oversee in Government, with former attorney general Geoffrey Cox earning more than £1million in fees as a barrister

Former prime minister Theresa May was one of the highest earners with a six-figure salary while Boris Johnson is believed to be making thousands on the after-dinner speech circuit. 

The Government pledged to regulate MPs’ second jobs more effectively last year. 

But plans to cap earnings were dropped in March.

Commons standards committee chairman Chris Bryant said: ‘We want to tighten the rules… to put an end to MPs acting as paid political consultants or strategists.’

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