Members of the House of Commons are set to leave their seats in the parliamentary building for the next three-and-a-half weeks.
Some, though, have slammed the move, including SNP Commons leader Pete Wishart, who told colleagues it shouldn’t happen when constituents are facing greater energy costs, a cut to the Universal Credit payment and the conclusion of the furlough scheme.
But the Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, hit back, saying the break will include non-MP parliamentary staff who need time off.
Why, then, won’t MPs be sitting in the House of Commons? And when will business in the House of Commons resume? Here’s everything we know about the autumn recess.
Why won’t MPs be sitting in the House of Commons?
MPs will not be sitting in the House of Commons after today owing to the annual party conference season. The length of time they’ll be away from Parliament is three-and-a-half weeks.
Several party conferences are planned over the course of their absence, while others have already taken place.
The Labour Party will hold their yearly gathering in Brighton, East Sussex, from Saturday, September 25, 2021 until Wednesday, September 29, 2021.
Read more: Who is Sir Keir Starmer? Labour leader publishes lengthy essay ahead of party's annual conference
The Conservatives, meanwhile, will have their conference in Manchester from Sunday, October 3, 2021 until Wednesday, October 6, 2021.
The Scottish National Party has pledged to hold two conferences this year. Their National Conference took place on Friday, September 10, 2021 until Monday, September 13, 2021.
The other event they plan to hold, named the Annual National Conference, will occur from Friday, November 26, 2021 until Monday, November 29, 2021. Both are online events.
The Liberal Democrats had their annual conference last weekend, holding their opening event on Friday, September 17, 2021 and the conclusion coming on Monday, September 20, 2021.
The Greens, meanwhile, hold their annual conference from Birmingham this year, and it will take place from Friday, October 22, 2021 until Sunday, October 24, 2021.
When does business in the House of Commons resume?
MPs will be expected to resume their roles in the House of Commons on Monday, October 18, 2021.
It’s important to say that this isn’t a break or holiday for them - they will be expected to dedicate lots of hours in their constituencies answering concerns and dealing with casework.
Members of the House of Lords went on their recess last Thursday, and will return a week earlier than their House of Commons counterparts, on Monday, October 11, 2021.
MPs returned from their summer recess on Monday, September 6, 2021, after the House of Commons closed down from Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Members can be recalled to Parliament while they’re in recess if the Speaker, usually following a Government request, feels an event warrants it.
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