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Keeping it in the family: new MPs continue to hire relatives as staff Keeping it in the family: new MPs continue to hire relatives as staff
(35 minutes later)
At least 15 new MPs have already hired family members at the expense of the taxpayer on salaries of up to £40,000 per year, the new House of Commons register of interests has revealed.At least 15 new MPs have already hired family members at the expense of the taxpayer on salaries of up to £40,000 per year, the new House of Commons register of interests has revealed.
The document shows 125, or one in five MPs, still employs a connected party – most often a spouse, parent or child – despite public scepticism about the practice in the wake of the expenses scandal.The document shows 125, or one in five MPs, still employs a connected party – most often a spouse, parent or child – despite public scepticism about the practice in the wake of the expenses scandal.
This is a slight decline since the last parliament, as many longstanding backbenchers, who employed relatives, stood down at the election.This is a slight decline since the last parliament, as many longstanding backbenchers, who employed relatives, stood down at the election.
A number of new MPs, however, have wasted no time in putting relatives on the payroll. The pay scale for MP staff members is between £15,000 and £43,272, although some are employed on a part-time basis so will receive less.A number of new MPs, however, have wasted no time in putting relatives on the payroll. The pay scale for MP staff members is between £15,000 and £43,272, although some are employed on a part-time basis so will receive less.
Seven of the 15 were Conservatives, including David Warburton, the new MP for Somerton and Frome, who has employed his wife as a communications officer and personal assistant, and Steve Double, the new MP for St Austell and Newquay, who has employed his wife as a senior caseworker and diary secretary.Seven of the 15 were Conservatives, including David Warburton, the new MP for Somerton and Frome, who has employed his wife as a communications officer and personal assistant, and Steve Double, the new MP for St Austell and Newquay, who has employed his wife as a senior caseworker and diary secretary.
Four were new Scottish National party MPs, including Paul Monaghan, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, employing his brother as a communications manager, and Corri Wilson, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, employing her son as a caseworker.Four were new Scottish National party MPs, including Paul Monaghan, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, employing his brother as a communications manager, and Corri Wilson, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, employing her son as a caseworker.
A further four were Labour MPs, including Gerald Jones, the new MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, emps mploying his partner as a senior parliamentary assistant, and Harry Harpham, the new MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, who took on his wife as a part-time researcher. A further four were Labour MPs, including Gerald Jones, the new MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, employing his partner as a senior parliamentary assistant, and Harry Harpham, the new MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, who took on his wife as a part-time researcher.
Unlike members of the European parliament, who are banned from hiring their spouses or other relations, MPs are still allowed to employ people close to them. For an MP earning a basic salary of £67,060 a year, employing a spouse at the top end of the earnings scale can increase their household income by two-thirds.Unlike members of the European parliament, who are banned from hiring their spouses or other relations, MPs are still allowed to employ people close to them. For an MP earning a basic salary of £67,060 a year, employing a spouse at the top end of the earnings scale can increase their household income by two-thirds.
Some of the highly paid cabinet ministers who are still employing their spouses include Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary; Michael Fallon, the defence secretary; and Priti Patel, a minister of state for employment who attends cabinet.Some of the highly paid cabinet ministers who are still employing their spouses include Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary; Michael Fallon, the defence secretary; and Priti Patel, a minister of state for employment who attends cabinet.
The new register of interests also revealed outside earnings by MPs for the first time this parliament. This shows that David Cameron accepted a £500 hamper from Fortnum & Mason on 8 May – the day of his election victory.The new register of interests also revealed outside earnings by MPs for the first time this parliament. This shows that David Cameron accepted a £500 hamper from Fortnum & Mason on 8 May – the day of his election victory.
The prime minister also declared that he is still receiving more than £10,000 a year from renting out his London home while living in Downing Street and that he has renewed his honorary membership of Ellesborough Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, worth £1,165 a year.The prime minister also declared that he is still receiving more than £10,000 a year from renting out his London home while living in Downing Street and that he has renewed his honorary membership of Ellesborough Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, worth £1,165 a year.
Separately, Boris Johnson, the London mayor, revealed that he has received an advance of £88,000 for a “book as yet unwritten” from publisher Hodder & Stoughton, without declaring its subject. He was also paid £22,916.66 on 13 May for writing his Daily Telegraph column.Separately, Boris Johnson, the London mayor, revealed that he has received an advance of £88,000 for a “book as yet unwritten” from publisher Hodder & Stoughton, without declaring its subject. He was also paid £22,916.66 on 13 May for writing his Daily Telegraph column.