UK government to prevent MPs taking on lobbying jobs

Lucy Powell said the government wanted to ‘change the tone’ on parliamentary standards after years of poor conduct. Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian

MPs will be prevented from taking on second jobs that fail to meet a new test of putting constituents first, under government plans to “turn the page” on an era of sleaze and scandal.

Despite growing anger over MPs doing lucrative outside work while also serving their constituents, the new Labour government will not ban second jobs but will severely restrict lobbying work.