The Sunday Times (21st June 2000 has revealed that members of David Cameron’s frontbench team are in a hurry to drop well paid second jobs before the July 1st deadline, will force them to declare how many millions of pounds they earn from “moonlighting” with second jobs or outside interests. The Sunday Times revealed that it had found out that members of Cameron’s team earned at least £2.7m on top of their annual MPs’ salaries of £64,766 and expenses. It also revealed that 40 members of Cameron’s top team have second jobs, including about 10 who have directorships of hedge funds, which they declined to discuss.
The Sunday Times also reported that guidance on blind trusts was also being sought by Willetts and the shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Philip Hammond. Shadow International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has announced he will step down from his job at the investment bank Lazard and the shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague will relinquish a series of jobs bringing in about £230,000 over the past year.
The Independent has also noted that Labour MPs are more enthusiastic about holding on to employment outside the Palace of Westminster. The former health secretaries Alan Milburn and Patricia Hewitt earn additional incomes of about £100,000 and £185,000, respectively. Ms Hewitt, as well as being employed by BT as a director, receives over £45,000 a year from high street pharmacy chain Boots for whom she is a "special consultant".
The Sunday Times also reported that guidance on blind trusts was also being sought by Willetts and the shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Philip Hammond. Shadow International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has announced he will step down from his job at the investment bank Lazard and the shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague will relinquish a series of jobs bringing in about £230,000 over the past year.
The Independent has also noted that Labour MPs are more enthusiastic about holding on to employment outside the Palace of Westminster. The former health secretaries Alan Milburn and Patricia Hewitt earn additional incomes of about £100,000 and £185,000, respectively. Ms Hewitt, as well as being employed by BT as a director, receives over £45,000 a year from high street pharmacy chain Boots for whom she is a "special consultant".
The former home secretary David Blunkett has a wide range of directorships, media work and speaking engagements in addition to his £64,000 MP's salary. The former armed services minister Adam Ingram has put together a portfolio of directorships worth up to £170,000 per annum since leaving the Government two years ago.
On top of the ongoing scandal about MP’s expenses which has been running for some weeks this will also further damage the reputation of MP’s in the eyes of ordinary people. Factor in that there are recommendations in the pipeline that suggest that there be different pay rates for MP’s who have interests outside of Westminster – many people will no doubt be surprised that said MP’s have time to represent the interests of their constituents.
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