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April 21st, 2009

MPs’ take 12 week holidays during a recession

If you have ever wondered where to find a job with security, excellent pay, lucrative expense accounts and plenty of time off, why not become an MP?

Whilst the country battles recession and rising unemployment, those fortunate enough to still have a job are either working longer hours for the same money or the same hours for less pay. Yet MPs, fresh from the ‘expenses’ scandal, have now revealed that they will only be sitting in the House of Commons for 143 days this year, seven days fewer than last year. The last day in the Commons, before the proposed 82 day mammoth break, will be July 21st.

Commons leader, Harriet Harman was last night under pressure to review the situation and cut the extended holiday by at least a week.  MPs have already enjoyed a 24 day holiday over the Christmas period and a fortnight over Easter.

Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan said MPs should work an extra week in July before disappearing on holiday. He said: “Gordon Brown’s Government is clearly running out of steam. Rather than ministers packing their bags early and heading off to the beach, MPs should be staying here to scrutinise this failing team.”

Last night Ms Harman defended the holiday decision saying that the dates were decided months ago, but TaxPayers Alliance boss Matthew Elliot fumed: “MPs have far too much holiday. Taxpayers who elect them and fund their salaries get nowhere near this amount of holiday.”

Another example of how the Palace of Westminster has become detached from the rest of the country.