Outside Employment - Project Open Gov

Paid work or roles held by an MP outside their parliamentary duties.

Category: Parliament and elections Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: outside employment, outside interests, outside jobs, outside work, outside roles, paid outside employment

Source / explainer: Read the House of Commons Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules

Last reviewed: 22 August 2026

Outside employment means paid work or roles held by an MP outside their parliamentary duties. Some outside employment may be allowed if registered and conducted within the rules, but it can raise questions about time, influence, conflicts of interest and the rules on lobbying and paid parliamentary advice.

Related terms

ConsultancyAdvisory or professional work provided to another organisation, often for payment.House of Commons Code of ConductThe rules setting expected standards of conduct for MPs in their public role.Register of Members’ Financial InterestsThe public register showing MPs’ relevant financial interests and benefits.Second JobA public-facing term for paid work an MP does outside their parliamentary role.