MPs and Second Jobs
Second jobs’ scandals - notably Owen Paterson’s, Matt Hancock’s, Nadine Dorries’ and Scott Benton’s activities - turned MPs’ second jobs into a sleaze story and inflicted great damage to the reputation of MPs, Parliament and democracy. It was similar in nature - albeit not on the same scale - to that of the expenses scandal.
The issue of MPs second jobs has been considered in the past, notably by the then Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) which made recommendations on the subject of second jobs in 2018. In particular, the CSPL suggested that the Code of Conduct for MPs should be clarified to state that any MP’s interests outside the House should not compromise their principal role as MPs. Unlock Democracy supports that recommendation.
The matter of second jobs is currently being considered by the Committee on Standards which started its inquiry into Outside employment and interests 18 months ago in January 2025.
The case has been made by some MPs that whether it is appropriate for an MP to have a second job is a matter that can be left in the hands of their constituents at election time. In practice this is not an effective way of assessing constituents’ views because when people vote, they are more likely to be voting on who they would like to be the next Government, or who they want to be PM, rather than the choice of individual local MP.
It also overlooks the fact that there are still some seats which are so safe that the MP’s position, regardless of their conduct, is virtually unassailable.
It also fails to take into account the fact that some MPs will be elected, when 5 or 6 political parties are in contention, with less than 30% of the vote, meaning that 70% of their constituents might be opposed to their second job, but the MP is elected regardless.
Finally this argument disregards the negative impact on some constituents, who need an active MP to support their needs or campaign on important local issues, but find instead their MPs’ efforts are focused elsewhere.
Immediate action
There is one step MPs should take immediately to reduce the risk of further reputational damage associated with second jobs.
MPs should immediately publish the contracts or written statements (which they are currently required to present to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards on request), for any outside employment. Some redaction might be necessary for privacy reasons, but the presumption would be that they would be published unredacted.
This would demonstrate MPs’ commitment to transparency. It would also allow MPs’ constituents to assess the value or otherwise of their MPs’ second jobs. It will also help establish the main beneficiaries of this employment, the MPs’ constituents, the MP, their employer or a trade body, another organisation, or a foreign country or countries.
Party leaders could set an example:
by publishing any relevant contractual details they are committed to for outside work
by requesting that MPs in their party follow suit
Longer term solution
An outright ban on second jobs is unnecessarily prescriptive, as writing the occasional paid column for a newspaper is unlikely to affect an MPs ability to perform their primary role.
A reasonable compromise, which acknowledges that some MPs may need to work to maintain professional qualifications, or occasionally write articles for newspapers, would be to allow them, as a rule of thumb, to earn up to the equivalent of half of an MP’s salary (£50,000 roughly), and spend up to 20 hours a week, on other interests. Thresholds set at these levels would enable an MP, who was a doctor, to continue practising medicine in a 0.5 fte role and maintain their licence/registration.
A cap on time spent on, and income earned from, second jobs would ensure that a second job never becomes the first job.
Unlock Democracy believes this level of outside involvement/remuneration would be within the ‘reasonable limits’ previously proposed by the CSPL.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards would have the power, if they thought there was evidence that an MP was unable to undertake the full range of duties expected of them in their primary role, to investigate any MP who was earning above this amount, or spending more than 20 hours, on other interests. Unlock Democracy has drafted a job description for MPs that lays out the key tasks that comprise an MP’s primary role.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards could then make a recommendation to the Committee on Standards, if they deemed it was warranted, about a suitable course of action.
Tom Brake, CEO, Unlock Democracy, info@unlockdemocracy.org.uk