MPs to face greater scrutiny of outside jobs

House of Commons - Image credit: PA Images

MPs are to face more scrutiny over second jobs if they are thought to "conflict" with their parliamentary duties.

The parliamentary standards watchdog would be given more power to demand that outside roles do not compromise constituency work, under a proposed new code of conduct.

The recommended changes have been signed off by members of the House of Commons Standards Committee, with a consultation set to start.

Research by Transparency International found that 73 MPs were paid a total of £3.4m in “extra advisory roles”, and the new rules could mean members could find it more difficult to take paid consultancy work.

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard, a member of the standards committee, said it was wrong for MPs to treat their role as a part time job and that a limit on outside work “either by remuneration or hours” was needed.

"Most members of the public will take umbrage when MPs suggest doing this job is not a full time, or your principle, job," he said.

"It's a full-time wage and if you are doing the job properly it is well more than a 40 hour week.

"There needs to be some clarity in the system that when you are elected that it is a full time job and you do it on a full time basis."