Boris Johnson sets out plans to ban on MPs working as paid consultants
November 16, 2021, 3:34 pm

Boris Johnson

The BBC reported that Boris Johnson has set out plans to ban MPs from working as paid consultants, in the wake of the row over former Tory MP Owen Paterson.

Mr Paterson was found to have used his position to lobby for two firms paying him - reigniting debates over MPs' outside employment.

In a letter to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the PM said MPs should adopt a ban "as a matter of urgency".

This would stop MPs from "exploiting their positions", he added.

Implementing such a ban would require a change to the MPs' code of conduct, requiring a formal vote in the House of Commons.

UK-Scotland-Edinburgh/Pixabay

Mr Johnson announced his proposal at the same time as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer set out his party's plan to ban second jobs.

Read more: Is the UK Corrupt?

Speaking at a press conference, Sir Keir said his party would ban all second jobs, apart from "public service" roles or professions requiring registration.

He said this included MPs working as NHS doctors and nurses, or in the police and as Army reservists.

He added that Mr Johnson's plan, announced during his press briefing, was a "significant victory for us".

The PM's proposals would implement a recommendation originally made in a 2018 report from ethics watchdog the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

It is thought it would affect around 30 MPs.

Source: BBC

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”