Two years ago, we published a deep dive into MP’s additional income. Second jobs are now in the spotlight, and #TorySleaze is trending, so we’ve re-run our code to see much MPs in the current Parliament have earned. This chart summarises, with Conservatives highlighted blue…. 
… demonstrating that this is principally a Conservative scandal. Also note that second jobs – the focus of media attention - are not the only source of additional income. Other one-off opportunities, such as giving speeches and writing articles, can be lucrative too.
Theresa May is comfortably the largest earner (she gives a lot of speeches), followed by Geoffrey Cox. They are emblematic of a broader trend: prominent ex-ministers often take-up well-paid work once they move to the back benches.
Fourteen (mostly Tory) MPs account for almost 60% of additional earnings. That’s more concentrated than earnings in the 2017-19 Parliament (chart below). #BorisJohnson was the largest earner in that Parliament, though he recently told today’s MPs they shouldn’t have second jobs.
Some are suggesting there should be a limit on the number of hours MPs can work to earn additional income. We’re not convinced this is a solution. Those that work the most hours tend to be councilors and doctors; not the big earners.
A neater solution is to require MPs to show the salary they are paid is in line with market rates. David Davis is paid £2000 an hour to advise a private equity firm: are their other advisors paid as much? If not, what distinguishes Mr. Davis other than his government influence?
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