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Politicians face curbs on second jobs outside Commons
Nicholas Cecil8 Apr 2009
Some MPs collecting tens of thousands of pounds in expenses are working “part-time” in Parliament, Gordon Brown admitted today.
The Prime Minister signalled a clampdown on politicians with second jobs as he sought to turn the heat on the Tories after weeks of revelations about claims by Cabinet ministers.
However, his admission that some MPs are working “part-time” while claiming a salary of £64,700, as well as second-home allowances of up to £24,000, could fuel anger about their use of public funds.
Appearing on BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show, the Prime Minister vowed to overhaul the allowances system, parts of which were “wrong”, including the second-home allowance.
“The second thing that we have got to deal with is the issue of MPs and outside interests and outside jobs and what that means for the running of Parliament — some people full-time, some people part-time,” he added.
The Prime Minister did not say who he had in mind.
However, Tory frontbenchers who have declared directorships in the Commons Register of Members' Interests June 2008 edition include Oliver Letwin, at NM Rothschild Corporate Finance Ltd. Labour MPs to have registered directorships include former health secretary Patricia Hewitt, at BT Group. There is no suggestion that either MP is not doing at least a full day's work at the Commons.
Mr Brown has asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life to carry out an inquiry into MPs' pay and expenses, and second jobs.
Reader views (3)
A Law should be introduced as soon as possible forcing all M.P.'s and Peers to publicly state all of their earning from all sources and the Tax that they pay on their earnings. Using offshore Tax Havens and Trust Funds should not be an option for those who make the Laws
- T Treble, Ealing England, 09/04/2009 12:22
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I obviously didn't understand the meaning of T BLiar's comment 'Education Education Education' and 'Tough on crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime' back in the nineties. He forgot to explain that 'Toughness' doesn't apply to MP's, nor did he explain that the only education undertaken was in respect of the teaching of his ministers et al on how to maximise their income at our expense.
Now Gord Helpus has decided to show us mere mortals that he is Tough by clamping down on second jobs in his government. #obviously the poor darlings are unable to survive on their bloated incomes and massive expenses#. He will be telling us next about all the sleaze in the oposition parties.
After 12 years inaction, how stupid does he think we are. He should be clamping down on all those ministers and enobled hangers on who have been in his government and who now have executive/consultant jobs in the private sector, and who now seem able to guide those companies to secure very lucrative government contracts. PFI included. This practice should be banned! It is nearly as bad as the expense claim scandal.
- Al, carlisle uk, 09/04/2009 09:44
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They should be payed only when they attend Parliament
No show no pay and no Pairing
- Anon, leicestershire, 08/04/2009 17:07
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