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 Labour Blaydon MP Liz Twist's register

These are the figures for Blaydon MP, Liz Twist as of Monday, November 1.

She does not have any secondary employment

Ms Twist is not recorded as having any secondary employment, but received hundreds in the participation of surveys, of which the fees were paid to Blaydon Constituency Labour Party.

The following payments were received by YouGov of Featherstone Street in London.

- February, 21 2020, payment of £80. Hours: 1 hr. 

- April 21, 2020, payment of £50. Hours: 45 mins. 

- April 21, 2020, payment of £100. Hours: 1 hr. 

- April 21, 2020, received a further £100. Hours: 1 hr. 

- July 9, 2020, payment of £70. Hours: 1 hr. 

- July 31, 2020, payment of £100. Hours: 1 hr. Fee paid direct to charity.

- December 11, 2020, payment of £60. Hours: 45 mins. 

The following payments were received by Savanta Comres of 3 Melville Street in Edinburgh.

- May 11, 2020, payment of £75. Hours: 1 hr. 

- May 20, 2020, payment of £75. Hours: 1 hr. 

- June 9, 2020, payment of £75. Hours: 1 hr. 

- August 5, 2020, payment of £75. Hours: 1 hr. 

- September 9, 2020, payment of £75. Hours: 1 hr. 

- October 28, 2020, payment of £75. Hours: 1 hr. 

- December 7, 2020, payment of £75. Hours: 1 hr. 

October 1, 2020, payment of £250 from Ipsos Mori of Thomas More Square in London, for a survey. Hours: 1 hr. Fee paid direct to charity.

There were no records of any donations, gifts or hospitality being paid.

Does she have any homes on the register

Ms Twist is recorded as having one property in Maine et Loire in France, where the value is more than £100,000 or gives a rental income of more than £10,000 a year.

The Northern Echo contacted Liz Twist for comment.

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