North MPs earn extra cash for second jobs
May 28 2009 by Will Green, The Journal
Hillary Armstrong
HILARY Armstrong said posts outside Parliament have benefited her work as an MP and charities.
Alongside chairing the advisory board for waste company SITA UK, the North West Durham MP has taken up several voluntary positions with charities since stepping down as a minister in 2007.
She sits on the board of Tyneside Cyrenians, the North East charity working with homeless and vulnerable people and is also a member of the advisory boards of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation and Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative.
"Both are charities," she said. "The Sports Foundation has been under the auspices of the Durham County Community Foundation and is soon to become an independent charity.
"The time commitment is small. I have attended two events with children and young people in the last year.
"The Governance in Africa charity has about four meetings per year and occasional discussions with the staff running the charity.
"I attended one long weekend in Sierra Leone working with the newly elected Cabinet, which was funded by DfID (Department for International Development)," said Ms Armstrong.
She is also on the UK federation board of the charity for homeless people, Emmaus .
It holds board meetings about every two months, while Ms Armstrong attended overnight a weekend general assembly. The MP joined the board of VSO International last June, which meets four times a year.
One board meeting involved four days in Kenya. As part of a VSO short-term placement, she was one of 11 MPs that spent part of the summer recess in Tanzania.
"I am now chairing CES (Community Energy Solutions) which is a community interest company set up by Government to bring energy solutions that are sustainable to vulnerable communities," she added.
Stephen Byers
NORTH Tyneside MP Stephen Byers said he always put his constituency duties first.
The former Cabinet minister holds a variety of paid positions outside Parliament and promised to publish details within weeks.
"I regard it as a privilege to represent the people of North Tyneside. In my time as a Member of Parliament I have always put my constituency duties first," said Mr Byers.
He added: "I ensure that any time I spend with my family, on hobbies or outside interests does not interfere with the work I do on behalf of my constituents.
"I have never lobbied Government ministers on behalf of commercial interests.
"A number of the non-Parliamentary positions I hold are unpaid. With regard to the others I will be making a full public disclosure about the amount I receive and time spent. This will be done in the next few weeks in accordance with the timetable laid down by the House of Commons."
Doug Henderson
NEWCASTLE MP Doug Henderson said his work for fast food firm McDonald’s has helped him understand issues facing businesses.
He has always included his work with the firm on the MPs’ register of interests, but not details of salary and hours as they were not previously required under the rules.
"I was prepared to put it on when Gordon Brown said it should be, but the House of Commons authorities told me that they are not making any changes until July 1.
"I earn £25,000 a year with McDonald’s. I don't do anything political. I attend board meetings and do other bits. It normally takes about 10 days a year and a bit of preparation," said the former minister.
He explained he takes part in "strategic discussions" with the company in the UK and stressed he was trying to create work.
"McDonald’s is providing 10,000 apprentices, which is highly desirable for young people in the downturn," said Mr Henderson.
He added the experience was "extremely useful" as it helped inform him about difficulties faced by smaller business and contrasting that with McDonald’s.
