My contribution to UK life, by five-jobs George: Osborne defends the roles that earn him six-figure sums on top of his MP’s salary These include pocketing A 620,000 from after-dinner speeches and taking up a controversial role with the US investment firm BlackRock George Osborne yesterday defended the jobs that earn him six-figure sums on top of his MP’s salary, claiming they are part of his ‘varied and interesting’ contribution to national life. The ex-Chancellor, who was sacked after the EU referendum , has been heavily criticised for accepting a string of well-paid roles while still serving on the Tory back benches.