'Family-friendly hours' dealt a blow by MPs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Supporters of "family-friendly" hours at the Commons were dealt a blow yesterday when MPs voted to return to traditional late-night sittings for half of their working week.
MPs cheered as they voted to return to their old hours of 2.30pm to 10.30pm after a three-hour debate.
Peter Hain, the Leader of the Commons, had warned that a return to old-style "Victorian" hours would be a "significant step backwards". He told MPs: "We would look very odd, if after only two years' trial, we reverted to hours designed for the lifestyle of our Victorian predecessors, when MPswere earning a living during the day."
But other MPs complained that new members wanted to run the Commons like an ordinary office. Oliver Heald, the shadow Leader of the House, accused the Government of "starving and rationing" MPs of time. Backing the late-night Tuesday sittings, he said: "It's not asking for a return to the old hours. It's saying let's have a balanced week."
MPs have agreed to keep their Wednesday sittings from 11.30am to 7.30pm and to start Thursday sittings at 10.30am.
Changes will be introduced after the next general election, after some of those voting will have stepped down.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments