SHADOW foreign secretary William Hague recently told the BBC that his income has halved since returning to the front bench. It is hard to feel much pity for the MP for Richmond, however.

He has still earned more than £565,000 from directorships and after-dinner speeches in the 18 months since his call-up.

The former Conservative Party leader may be Westminster's highest earner but he is only one of many MPs who supplement their income with outside employment.

According to the Commons register, Darlington's MP, former health secretary Alan Milburn, nearly trebled his £60,675 parliamentary salary with outside earnings. Last month, he accepted a £25,000 job advising the manufacturer of Pepsi and Walkers Crisps on how to improve the nutritional content of its products.

MPs who accept extra work argue there are useful benefits for their primary role in the Commons. They say work outside Parliament helps them keep in touch with the real world.

At least one fellow North MP does not agree. Durham North MP Kevan Jones is backing a backbench Bill that aims to curtail MPs topping up their salaries with other jobs.

Mr Jones insists it is a full-time job dedicating time to simply serving his constituents.

As well as a £60,000 annual salary, the average MP also claims £131,000 per year for expenses and allowances. Some are lobbying the Senior Salaries Review Board, which sets MPs' pay, for a 66 per cent rise, taking salaries to £100,000 a year.

MPs argue the increase is needed to bring them in line with senior civil servants and GPs.

If they get their way, there can be no arguments: if we pay our MPs more, then we expect their full attention at all times.