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Background and Scope of the Review

In its 2009 report on MPs鈥� Expenses and Allowances, the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended that:

MPs should not be prohibited from paid employment such as journalism outside the House, providing any such activity remains in reasonable limits. But it should be transparent and information about it should be drawn to voters鈥� attention at election time.

This recommendation aimed to strike a balance between MPs鈥� work as an elected Member of Parliament, and outside paid employment and professional interests. At the time the Committee considered that outside paid employment should not be banned, provided it was kept within fairly limited bounds and there was transparency about it.

The Committee has decided to conduct a short review to see the extent to which the compromise we recommended in 2009 has been put into operation, and if there is a need to explore further and to elaborate what is meant by 鈥榬easonable limits鈥�.

The Committee on Standards in Public Life does not have a remit to address any individual cases, and as such will only be considering submissions on the subject of rules and guidance surrounding MPs鈥� outside interests more broadly.

We welcome contributions from those interested in this issue. The review will be open until 5pm on Wednesday 13 September.

Terms of Reference

The Committee invites comment on four key themes:

1. What factors should be taken into account in determining the 鈥榬easonable limits鈥� on MPs鈥� outside interests?
2. How and whether outside interests for MPs could lead to actual or potential conflicts of interest. Does this apply differently for MPs, ministers and ex-ministers, Chairs of Select Committees and other MPs holding parliamentary roles?
3. Whether there is sufficient transparency around MPs鈥� outside interests, and how openness can be promoted.
4. Whether there needs to be new rules or guidance on MPs鈥� outside interests, and how any new arrangements could be implemented.

For further information please contact: [email protected] or 0207 271 2948.