Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Labour MP Paul Farrelly has today made public his tax returns going back to 2001, when he was first elected, and has challenged other candidates - and local elected leaders - to do likewise in the run-up to the 2010 elections.
Paul’s move, on his own initiative, is believed to be the first by a sitting MP and follows changes to make parliament more transparent following this year’s expenses scandal at Westminster.
‘I promised earlier this year, after the Freedom of Information Act brought disclosure of parliamentary costs and allowances, to go one step further – and demonstrate where my income comes from, as we all have to declare to the taxman,’ Paul said.
‘An important part of the changes recently have been to make MPs declare other employment, or consultancy contracts, and the amount of time they spend on other work.’
‘I have no second job, or outside directorships, nor do I get paid to lobby for special interests. My only work is representing my constituents in Newcastle in parliament. As well as my family, it takes up all my time and I believe all candidates – as well as local elected leaders – should do the same. It happens regularly in the United States, and what’s good enough for America, should be good for us here, too.’
Provisions requiring MPs to declare payments from outside interests, and the amount of time involved, were implemented in the summer, when Paul declared a ‘nil return’.
At the time, Andrew Mitchell - Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield in the Midlands and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development – commented that the move was a short step from requiring tax returns to be published, as well.
Last weekend, Chris Huhne – Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh and their Shadow Home Office spokesman – challenged Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative candidate for Richmond Park, to publish his tax returns in a row over non-domicile tax status. He would publish his for the last 10 years, if Mr Goldsmith published his, he said.
To view Paul’s filed tax returns for the years 2001-2 to 2007-8, click here
Tax returns for the year 2008-9 will be published in the New Year, once they have been submitted, as usual, to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs by the statutory 31st January deadline. They will show the same pattern as previous returns.
Notes for readers:
Paul’s tax returns show that he has received salaried income only from parliament as Newcastle’s MP since being elected in June, 2001. The only other payments - the most being £750 in any year - have come from writing occasional press articles and completing surveys. Payments from surveys have also been donated to charity during this time. Pages not copied from 2002/3 to 2006/7 were all blank, with a ‘nil’ return.
In 2001/2, there was one additional item: a payment in lieu of holiday from his employment on The Observer newspaper before the 2001 election, which was delayed for a month by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.