Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Senior UK civil servants declare private-sector second jobs
Dozens of senior UK civil servants declared second jobs in the past two years, according to government data.
They include officials across Whitehall, some earning up to £225,000 a year in their public roles.
Their outside work ranges from consulting for companies to running businesses and teaching fitness classes.
Some jobs are close to officials’ government responsibilities, raising questions about possible conflicts of interest.
The story says there is no suggestion that any of the officials broke rules.
Departments publish details of senior officials’ outside employment, and the declarations are publicly available.
Critics say public duties should come first and departments should ensure taxpayers receive full-time work for full-time pay.
A Daily Mail audit found that dozens of senior UK civil servants declared private-sector second jobs over the past two years.
Some officials hold roles in fields related to their government work, prompting questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The highest-paid official identified was Mark Bourgeois, chief executive of the Government Property Agency, whose salary is between £220,000 and £224,999.
Other declared work includes consulting for a Formula One team, advising a technology firm and teaching yoga, fitness or dance.
The article says there is no suggestion that any of the officials have broken rules.
- Who
- Dozens of senior UK civil servants, including officials at chief executive level.
- What
- They declared second jobs in the private sector, including company directorships, consulting and teaching.
- When
- The declarations were made over the past two years; the article was published on 1 November 2026.
- Where
- Across Whitehall and in private-sector roles.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dozens of senior civil servants declared second jobs, according to the Daily Mail audit.
Steve Hersee was the Department for Work and Pensions head of security.
The Daily Mail published its report on the declared second jobs.
- Officials identified
- Dozens of senior civil servants
- Audit period
- Past two years
- Highest-paid official identified
- Mark Bourgeois, paid between £220,000 and £224,999
- Emma Hodges's second job
- Consultant for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team
- Steve Hersee's television role
- Head of intelligence on Channel 4's Hunted
What people are saying
There is nothing wrong with having outside interests, but taxpayers who are paying these substantial salaries are entitled to expect public duties to come first and to know that there are no conflicts of interest.
These moonlighting mandarins are already on salaries most workers could only dream of. Departments need to get a grip... and make sure taxpayers are getting a full–time civil service for full–time pay.