MPs’ Christmas break extended to 24 days
House of Commons to return on 11 January
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.MPs are to be given an extended Christmas break until 11 January, Downing Street has confirmed.
The House of Commons had been expected to sit from Tuesday next week after an 18-day recess for Christmas and New Year. The break will now stretch to 24 days, with one day at Westminster today to ratify the PM’s Brexit trade deal.
The new dates were being formally announced in a statement by Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg later in the day.
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said it had been decided to delay MPs’ return in recognition of the fact that many parliamentary staff had been forced to work through the festive period because of today’s recall.
Mr Johnson’s failure to secure a deal with Brussels until the very last minute on Christmas Eve meant that both Houses of Parliament had to be brought back during recess in order to grant their approval before the deadline of 11pm on 31 December. Failure to do so would have meant the UK crashing out of the EU’s single market and customs union without a deal.
MPs are permitted to travel to Westminster, despite London currently being under tier 4 coronavirus restrictions which require residents to stay home and work remotely if possible amid soaring levels of Covid-19 infection.
But many of them have chosen to take advantage of arrangements to take part in today’s debate and vote via video link.
Asked why MPs were effectively awarding themselves more holiday, the PM’s spokesman pointed to the fact that they sat for longer than usual in the autumn because of the cancellation of the annual party conferences, which normally require a three-week recess.
The spokesman said: "In his business statement later today the leader will set out the government’s intention to delay the House's return to Monday 11th.
“This is in recognition of the previously extended sitting period, when we cancelled conference recess, and the fact many members of House staff have worked throughout the Christmas recess to prepare for the recall of MPs and today’s vote.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments