MPs could face crackdown on paid media appearances under new rules

Posted by Admin September 12, 2024 Jobs

MPs could face a crackdown on hosting TV shows under new rules to restore trust in parliament.

The newly formed Modernisation Committee today published a memorandum agreeing to look at tightening rules on second jobs.

The committee was promised in Labour’s manifesto and is tasked with reforming House of Commons procedures and driving up standards.

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MPs in the group, which met for the first time on Wednesday, said an early priority would be to look at outside paid engagements such as media appearances.

The committee will examine “whether paid outside engagements such as MP media appearances, journalism and speeches provide a benefit to the public or present a conflict of interest”, it said.

It will consult with the standards commissioner, who will advise on the practicability of changes regarding outside interests.

It follows the controversy of some MPs earning hundreds of thousands of pounds for contractual broadcast jobs.

Channels including GB News and LBC have had shows hosted by serving MPs.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage presents a show on GB News, as does Reform MP Lee Anderson.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously hosted an LBC radio show while in opposition but quit ahead of the general election.

Committees are normally chaired by backbench MPs but this one is unusual in that it will be chaired by Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons.

She said: “It is a great privilege to serve constituents as a member of parliament, but this privilege requires us to embody the very highest standards.

“As we turn the page in this parliament following the events of the last, the Modernisation Committee will find ways to do things better.”

She said the committee will “set out to drive up standards, improve the culture and working practices and reform procedures to make the House of Commons more open and accessible to people from all walks of life”.

The committee is seeking views from MPs, their staff, House staff, and wider stakeholders to find a “path forward”, she added.

“There’s much to do, and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

MPs are already banned from paid lobbying.

There have long been calls for further limits on second jobs, with critics saying politicians should be focused on their constituents.

There is no limit to what MPs can earn outside of parliament, but they must declare in the Register of Interests payments of more than £100.

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Last year, research by our Westminster Accounts project revealed MPs earned an average £233 per hour for roles outside of parliament – 17 times higher than the national average and over 22 times more than the hourly minimum wage.

Media appearances have particularly come under scrutiny due to concerns over impartiality and how much MPs can earn from hosting shows and writing columns.

The August register of members’ financial interests listed Mr Farage as receiving £97,928 per month from GB News. He said this was for several months’ worth of work, and he does not get a fixed sum from the channel.

He also declared on the MPs’ register £4,000 per month from The Daily Telegraph and a £16,597 payment for recording private video messages on the Cameo app.

Other notable entries on the register included Mr Anderson declaring £100,000 a year for also working on GB News.

Mr Lammy was paid £49,245 by radio station LBC from August 2023 to May 2024, before quitting for the election.