Nice work if you can get it...

Jim Hood (pictured right, in an image that rather reminds us of Godzilla attacking Tokyo), the Labour MP for Lanark and Hamilton East, has another job outside the Commons of which many of us would be envious - because it pays him money even when he doesn't do any work.

Mr. Hood receives a £7500 per annum retainer from Scottish Coal to act as its Parliamentary Advisor, which is paid to him in monthly installments. Under new rules, MPs must declare all money earned from second jobs, rather than just in £5000 increments as was previously the case. The MP's latest declaration reveals that he worked "nil hours" for one installment.

That's £625 for doing bugger all. Not a massive amount of money, all things considered, but like we say - nice work if you can get it.