Brazen MPs have given themselves an extra week’s holiday next year saying the Scottish independence referendum is to blame.
House of Commons authorities have announced just 145 days of business in 2014.
Taking into account bank holidays and annual leave most people work around 224 days in a year around 15 weeks more than MPs will be expected to at Westminster.
The move to change the parliamentary timetable for the referendum has been blasted by critics.
They point out it will affect the hundreds of English, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs who have no interest in Scottish separation.
Robert Oxley, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Cutting the number of days parliament is sitting further undermines the ability of MPs to hold the Government and ministers to account.”
The sitting dates for 2014 were announced by Lib Dem Tom Brake.
It’s because his party has moved its autumn conference to accommodate the independence vote that MPs look set to spend even fewer days in Westminster next year.
The Lib Dems were due to have their Glasgow get-together before the referendum but switched it to October to avoid a clash.
But instead of moving the customary “conference recess” back a week, it’s been extended.
Labour’s Shadow leader of the House, Angela Eagle, said: “I understand why the Scottish referendum has disrupted the usual arrangements but it seems a bit strange that we have had to make changes to accommodate the 2014 Liberal Democrats conference.
“At the rate they are losing members, next year they could hold it in a telephone box.”
MPs spend four days a week in Westminster. There are a number of Friday sittings each year yet to be announced which will boost the 145 day total.
However, it’s likely MPs will also award themselves around a week off for prorogation the lead up to the State Opening of Parliament by the Queen in May that is likely to coincide with campaigning for the European elections.
The Conservative’s slogan for their party conference this year was “For Hardworking People”.
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