Cameron is presiding over the most underworked governments in history

The part-time Parliamentarians

David Cameron is presiding over one of the most underworked governments in history.

As MPs knock off for yet another break just three weeks after their last holiday, new figures reveal the current administration has sat for fewer days on average than almost any other since World War Two.

Campaigners say ministers are “getting away with” avoiding parliament. Research released by the House of Commons library shows the length of each parliamentary session since 1945.

Excluding short sessions interrupted by general elections the figures show David Cameron and Tony Blair both made MPs sit for just 150 days each year on average.

That’s over 100 days fewer than the number of working days most people face in a year. Gordon Brown averaged just 152 working days during his short stay at Number 10.

The only Prime Minister with a worse record than Cameron and Blair is Anthony Eden. He only managed one session of parliament in charge averaging just 146 sitting days a year.

The busiest Prime Minister was Harold Wilson, followed by Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill.

They both averaged around 170 days per session, with parliament traditionally sitting for four days per week, that’s five weeks more business every year than David Cameron.

Jonathan Isaby, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers Alliance said: “For the next fortnight ministers will get away without being scrutinised by our elected representatives.

“Fewer or shorter recesses will bring accountability.”