Dugdale’s plan to restrict MSPs outside earnings

MSPS face a ban on making huge sums of money from a second job under plans Scottish Labour will set out in its manifesto.

Kezia Dugdale’s party will pledge to introduce a Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament that limits what Holyrood politicians can earn outside of their MSP role.

Despite the powers being held in Holyrood, Labour will include the plan in their Westminster manifesto.

As it stands, MSPs make around £58,000 but the crackdown would limit the time and earnings from any additional job.

It might mean Tory MSP Alexander Burnett could no longer benefit up to £130,000 from farming and land ownership and the SNP’s Alex Neil would have to resign his £15,000 position on the advisory panel for Ethx Energy.

It could also mean Miss Dugdale herself could no longer make money as a newspaper columnist, though she has said she donates those earnings to charity.

Dugdale said: “This isn’t just the manifesto for a Labour government across the UK.

“It’s a manifesto for delivering change here in Scotland.

“Through Member’s Bills in the Scottish Parliament, Labour can help to grow our economy, restore faith in our democracy and give people a fair chance in life.

“The SNP Government in Edinburgh has been so obsessed with its pursuit of another divisive independence referendum that it hasn’t passed a single piece of legislation in over a year.

“Scottish Labour is ready to step in to change our laws and make Scotland a fairer and better place.”