STANDARDS in public life have come under intense scrutiny in the last fortnight, leaving public confidence at an all-time low.

Many MPs have second jobs, with some, like Sir Geoffrey Cox coining in vast sums on top of their already high salaries.

Freebies, cash for answering questions and donations from the private sector are also the source of deep concern.

FULL LIST: The North East MPs raking in thousands in donations and second jobs

This week, The Northern Echo lifts the lid on where MPs in our region get their income as part of our The Money Trail investigation tracing the cash behind our MPs.

We tracked the cash trail using the Register of Members' Financial Interests, and while there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, there are some surprising results.

We're publishing the records held for every MP in the North East and North Yorkshire to help you understand how your politician compares.

What exactly is on the register

There are ten main categories on the register, which is maintained and updated by the Parliamentary for Commissioner for Standards, and require an MP to declare, where appropriate.

MPs in England must declare additional paid employment (second jobs), donations, gifts, hospitality and any homes where the value is more than £100,000 and/or provides rental income of more than £10,000 a year.

They must also declare any shares they have which amount to more than 15 percent of the issues share capital of that company or more than 15 percent of a partnership, while they must declare any shares valued more than £70,000.

When it comes to family, MPs are required to declare whether any members are employed and receive more than £700 in a calendar year as this comes from taxpayers' money (parliamentary expenses).

MPs are also required to declare the details of any family members involved in "lobbying," which is when an individual tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a specific policy or campaign.

What's on Gateshead MP, Ian Mearns​' register

These are the figures for Labour Gateshead MP, Ian Mearns as of Monday, November 1.

Second jobs and additional earnings 

Mr Mearns is not recorded as having any secondary employment nor did he receive additional income from any work carried out in the past year.

Did he receive any donations or gifts

However, the register states that he received three donations worth thousands of pounds in value over the same time period.

The register states that a donation with a value of £17,482 was received between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

It states that the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union of Unity House in London, gave the donation for the "Administration and coordination of the RMT Parliamentary Group, which I chair, provided by Solidarity Consulting Ltd."

Meanwhile, a second entry for a donation with a value of £16,305.60 from the Bakers and Allied Food Workers Union in London, was received between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021.

It states that this was for the "Administration and coordination of the Bakers' Union Parliamentary Group, which I chair, provided by Solidarity Consulting Ltd."

And a further donation with a value of £17,482 was received between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 from the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union again, for the same reason.

Does he have any homes over £100k or giving rental income £10,000 a year

Mr Mearns is recorded as having a part share in two houses in Gateshead where the value is either more than £100,000 or giving rental income of more than £10,000 a year.

Extra entries on the register

Mr Mearns has the following entries recorded as miscellaneous, which include declarations of involvement in local businesses where they may not receive an income.

He is down as an unpaid trustee of Newcastle United Supporters Trust - Pledge 1892 Trust, which collects donations with a view to purchasing a stake in Newcastle United Football Club.

The Northern Echo contacted Ian Mearns.

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