MP Lembit Opik pocketed almost half of what he earns as an MP from second jobs, figures reveal today.

The Montgomeryshire MP earned up to £30,000 from TV appearances, writing articles and advising the Caravan Club of Great Britain during the 2008/09 financial year. This is in addition to his annual salary of £64,766 as an MP. The Liberal Democrat has opened up his outside earnings to the Shropshire Star.

His made the disclosure as new rules came into force requiring MPs to disclose all the details about their second jobs.

This includes how much they are paid and the hours worked – plus any other outside earnings – even if the work is unrelated to their political role.

Previously, they only had to name their outside employers and directorships in the Register of Members’ Interests, and give an indication of how much they were paid if the work was related to their job as an MP.

Many MPs believe having an outside job helps them maintain contact with the outside world.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne also listed his directorships and outside earnings in the latest Register of Members’ Interests, last updated on June 24, 2009.

The Tory MP refused to disclose the details of how much he earned in the last financial year, but pledged to comply by the new rules which allow MPs 28 days to register their earnings after they have been paid.

He said: “I will be publishing details of my outside earnings in accordance with the new rules.”

The Conservatives have more outside jobs than Labour MPs, but many have already announced they are giving up their second jobs ahead of the changes.

Tory leader David Cameron has ordered all his front bench MPs to give up their second jobs from December to focus on winning the next general election.

What the MPs have earned

Here are the details of your local MPs’ earnings from second jobs and outside interests: 

Mark Pritchard (Con, The Wrekin) – Nil

Philip Dunne (Con, Ludlow) Remunerated directorships:

• Baronsmead VCT-4-PLC (non-executive); venture capital trust

• Ruffer Investment Management Limited (non-executive); investment managers

• Remunerated employment, office, profession etc:

• Partner, Gatley Farms; farming partnership

• Non-executive member of Management Board of Ruffer LLP; investment managers

Daniel Kawczynski (Con, Shrewsbury & Atcham) – Nil

Lembit Opik (Lib Dem, Montgomeryshire) Remunerated directorships:

• West European Air Services Ltd; aircraft management services and brokerage for local air charter company.

• Remunerated employment, office, profession etc: Parliamentary adviser to the Caravan Club of Great Britain (£5,001–£10,000) Training for the National School of Government (Up to £5,000) Broadcasting fees from the BBC (Up to £5,000) Journalism for the Daily Sport (Up to £5,000) Fees from ITV for television appearances (£5,001–£10,000) Fees for training work for Luther Pendragon

Owen Paterson (Con, North Shropshire) – Nil

David Wright (Lab, Telford) – Nil