It has been revealed that two Sheffield MPs are currently employing family members in their parliamentary offices.

Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, employs his partner, James Thomas, as a senior parliamentary assistant. Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, employers her daughter, Nicola Thorp as an executive office manager.

The Register of Member’s Interests, on which information about the MP’s family member’s employment was declared, also shows that Clive Betts received a donation from the English Football League.

This donation included a ticket to the EFL cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool and hospitality. The total value of the gift was £400.

Whilst MPs are allowed to employ family members, only a handful choose to do so.

The family member’s employment and relationship to the MP must be fully disclosed to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority – as Ms Furniss and Mr Betts have both done.

The news of Gill Furniss’ and Clive Betts’ employment of family members, and Bett’s acceptance of a hospitality football ticket, follows widespread coverage of gifts and donations made to Labour MPs and Ministers.

Sheffield Rise reported last month that Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley and Secretary of State for Transport, accepted a large number of donations, which also included hospitality football tickets.

Featured image via @steelcitysnaps on X and House of Commons