Nigel Farage has skyrocketed to the top of the UK’s MP earnings list, pulling in a staggering £1.2 million from his media work—raising eyebrows and sparking debate over the balance between public service and personal gain. Here’s the full story.
Farage’s Dubious Honour
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK and occasionally present MP for Clacton, has been back in the headlines recently, not for stirring up conspiracy theories or supporting former President and convicted felon Donald Trump, but for receiving the dubious honour of being the highest-earning MP in the country.
Earnings Disclosure Required
MPs must disclose all their financial earnings outside of their parliamentary work in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, which was recently published, and Farage’s income streams have raised a few eyebrows.
A Staggering £1.2 Million
In the Register, Farage has declared that, outside of his parliamentary salary, which stands at £91,346 annually, the standard wage for all MPs in the UK, he has declared an annual income of a staggering £1.2 million.
Majority From GB News
The vast majority of Farage’s income comes from his controversial role as a presenter on GB News, the right-wing news channel in the UK, which is owned jointly by hedge fund manager Sir Paul Marshall and investment firm Legatum.
£97,928.40 Monthly Wage
Farage’s wage is an eye-watering £97,928.40 per month from GB News, earned through his self-titled show on GB News, which airs Monday to Thursday.
Back to GB News
Though Farage suspended working on the show while he campaigned to enter parliament, finally being successful on the eighth attempt, he is now back on the air to give his right-wing take on the issues of the day, including his favourite topics of Brexit, immigration, and British identity.
Additional Income Streams
However, not content with earning more money annually than many of his fellow citizens or constituents would likely see in their lifetimes, Farage also earns considerable sums outside his TV work.
Cameo Brings £16,597.22
From the app Cameo alone, where C-rate celebrities and public figures desperate to remain relevant can record personalised videos for paying customers, Farage has earned an astounding £16,597.22. According to Statista, this figure is over £4,000 more than part-time workers in the UK receive monthly.
£70 per Cameo Video
Farage makes £70 for each Cameo video, equivalent to around 7 hours of work on the national minimum wage. He reportedly spends 24 hours a month on this activity.
£4,000 From Telegraph Articles
Farage earns yet more money writing articles for the right-wing newspaper the Daily Telegraph, earning £4,000 a month for 16 hours of work, which equates to an hourly wage of £250.
Income From Social Media
Further adding to his already considerable income, Farage also receives money from his social media, where he has recently been accused of spreading conspiracy theories related to the recent far-right riots that swept the country.
Social Media Earnings Detailed
Farage earns £1,551.29 from X, formerly Twitter, and £853 from Meta, Facebook’s parent company.
72 Hours of Extra Work
Farage’s external work is approximately 72 hours per month, equivalent to nine full working days.
Controversial US Trip
Farage has also received criticism for trips he has taken recently. In July, Farage travelled to the US to visit fellow right-wing ideologue Donald Trump following the failed assassination attempt on the former President.
£32,836 Funded by Investor
Described in the register as a trip “to support a friend who was almost killed and to represent Clacton on the world stage,” the American outing, which cost £32,836, was paid for by Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor who has previously made significant donations to the Brexit Party and Reform UK.
Brussels Visit Funded
Another trip included in the register was a visit to Brussels in April to speak at the National Conservatism Conference.
Funded by Former Aide
This visit, which cost £9,253.50, was funded by George Cottrell, a former aide to Farage with a criminal record for money laundering. Cottrell spent eight months in a US prison after being caught in an FBI sting operation in 2017.
Criticism of Farage’s Lifestyle
Despite Cottrell’s past, he remains a significant figure within Farage’s entourage.
“Not Really Public Service”
Farage has received harsh criticism over his substantial income and jet-set lifestyle, with Jo Maugham, founder of the Good Law Project, telling the Guardian, “You look at these numbers and you wonder, has Nigel Farage catapulted himself to the top of the list of highest earners in Clacton? Great for him, but it’s not really public service, is it?”
Ethical Concerns Raised
Additionally, Farage’s financial declarations have raised serious questions over the ethics of MPs earning substantial incomes outside of their parliamentary roles.
Out of Touch With Constituents?
Many have wondered how, with such high earnings, any politician could be expected to relate to the lives and experiences of the ordinary people they have been elected to represent.
Unique Political-Media Position
Nigel Farage’s financial disclosures highlight his unique position as both a political and media figure. His earnings far exceed those of his parliamentary peers.
Future Questions Remain
However, it remains to be seen whether Farage’s astronomical earnings outside of parliament will lead to a national conversation about MPs’ second jobs or whether he can retain his title as Britain’s highest-earning MP.
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