Angela Rayner faced a grilling on Sky News on Wednesday over her speaking engagement earnings, with the housing secretary insisting she was “focused on her constituents” while making over £100,000 from speeches as an MP.
Rayner Defends Speaking Fees
Speaking live on Sky News with Anna Jones, the former deputy prime minister—now housing secretary—claimed she remained “focused on her constituents” during the period she earned thousands, all properly declared, from appearing at events. Rayner justified earning over £100,000 from delivering speeches while in opposition, arguing that it didn’t constitute a second job.
Sky News presenter Anna Jones questioned whether Rayner should have been concentrating on her constituents rather than generating income from speeches. She began: “According to the Register of Public Interest you have made tens of thousands of pounds while you were out of government but still an MP. In opposition you said, 'MPs should not have second jobs and should focus on being an MP.' So is that hypocritical? Should you have focused on your constituents in that time?”
Viewers React
Rayner responded: “I was focusing on my constituents during that time, and you'll have seen from the [register of] members' interests, there was, I think around six engagements in 12 months for a couple of hours of speaking engagements. And that's all declared appropriately.” She added: “I don't consider that to have been a second job,” and that she is “incredibly honoured to be back in government”.
Viewers slammed the minister, with one fuming: “Earnings are earnings. If it's not a job, what is it? Did the money paid go on her tax return? Or was it cash in hand? Nonsense.” Another penned: “Its always do as I say not as I do. Politicians who make statements before in power who then completely contradict themselves when I power should have huge consequences.” A third hit back: “If you are being paid for performing this task or any task. Then it's classed as a second income and a second job. You are at it lady.” Another quipped: “So it's only a job if you consider it to be a job, I'll have to remember that one.”
Earnings and Previous Statements
According to the Register of MPs Interests, Rayner earned £105,250 in speaking fees during her 10 months out of government, but while still an MP. She also earned £2,400 from presenting a radio programme, and £76,500 in an advance for penning a book. As deputy Labour leader, Rayner said MPs should be prohibited from having second jobs and branded them as a “racket”. As the housing minister, she will be unable to earn money from speeches now she is a minister again. She reportedly delivered seven speeches between February and June, including a £20,000 fee for a speech to an industry association for estate agents.
