Glamorous Labour MP Gloria De Piero to marry biographer of David Cameron's cat Accountancy firm helps Ed Balls plot power grab When Labour was in government, PricewaterhouseCoopers was handed many lucrative contracts. Now that the cash-strapped party is in opposition, the accountancy firm is keen to return the favour. Mandrake can disclose that Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, is benefiting from the services of a high-powered assistant whose estimated £230,000 annual salary is paid by PricewaterhouseCoopers. As an MP, Balls receives a relatively modest £66,000 per year. The company has allowed the analyst to work for Balls four days a week for a secondment of more than four months this year. In accordance with House of Commons rules, the former minister has declared the donation in the Register of Members" Interests as being worth £60,000. When the Conservatives were in opposition, they were criticised for accepting donations from big accountancy firms including PwC. Lord Oakeshott, the Liberal Democrat, said at the time that "expert advice is welcome in opposition parties" policymaking," but added that it looked "like consultants keeping their foot in the door for contracts."