In a startling revelation that underscores the deepening cost-of-living crisis, Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has disclosed she was compelled to take on delivery work with food app Deliveroo while serving as a senior opposition MP.
MP Turns to Food Delivery to Make Ends Meet
The Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood revealed the extraordinary measure during a parliamentary debate, explaining that the government's pay freeze for MPs left her struggling financially despite her £84,144 annual salary. "I had to get a second job because I could not manage," Mahmood told the Commons, highlighting the severe financial pressures affecting even those in relatively well-paid positions.
Government Policies Under Fire
Mahmood's disclosure came during heated exchanges about the Home Office's controversial immigration policies. She directly challenged Immigration Minister Tom Pursglove, stating: "When the minister gets up, will he confirm whether he has ever had to take a second job to make ends meet while he has been in this House?"
The minister's response notably avoided answering the question about personal financial experience, instead focusing on government economic policies.
Broader Implications for Public Service
This revelation raises serious questions about who can afford to serve in Parliament and whether current remuneration levels risk excluding those without significant private wealth or additional income streams. Mahmood's situation demonstrates how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting individuals across the income spectrum, including those in senior political positions.
The incident has sparked wider debate about MP salaries, second jobs, and the real-world financial experiences of those making decisions that affect millions of Britons struggling with similar economic challenges.
