POLL – Should MPs return to Parliament after Queen’s funeral?
Therese Coffey dodges demands for clarity on Truss energy plan
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The House of Commons has been suspended for a period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, increasing the time MPs have so far this year spent out of Parliament. Should MPs return to Parliament after the Queen’s funeral? Vote in our poll.
MPs went on summer recess for six weeks from July 21 and had only just returned before the Queen’s death on September 8, creating a 10-day national mourning period.
Parliament was due to break again on September 22 for party conferences, returning on October 17.
Of the 61 working days between the start of the summer recess on July 21 and the end of the next on October 17, Parliament will have been in session for just five days.
During this time, new Prime Minister Liz Truss unveiled a £150billion energy support package to help Britons manage spiralling energy bills.
Downing Street has said the Parliamentary recess will not slow the legislative process.
However, some have called for MPs to cancel their next recess to help pass the energy bill support before Ofgem’s next price cap increase on October 1.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of industry group UK Hospitality, urged the Government to cancel the party conference recess.
She said: “This [delay] is because energy plans require legislation – unlike domestic support – and with Parliament going back into recess next week there may be insufficient time to pass it before price hikes take effect from 1 October.”
Senior Tory, Sir John Redwood has also called for MPs to return on Tuesday, September 20, after the Queen’s funeral, to discuss the energy crisis.
On Monday, he tweeted: “After mourning a much-loved Queen and the state funeral, Parliament should meet.
“The current plan for a long conference recess means a delayed return on October 17. We need to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and energy shortage before then.”
One Government official told the Financial Times: “It is not worked through yet. I don’t know whether it will come in before November. There’s some debate about whether it can be brought forward and happen before then.”
Piers Morgan also said that Ms Truss and ministers needed to “get back to work” as soon as the mourning period ends.
He said on TalkTV: “The Conservatives have literally just spent six weeks in a rolling party conference to elect their new leader.
“Enough of the chat! Our country is in crisis. After the funeral, they should get back to work!”
He added: “Frankly, it’s utterly ridiculous that they’re about to pack up for another 26 days so they can have their party conferences.”
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Earlier this week it was reported Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to deliver an emergency budget on Thursday, September 22.
His fiscal statement will outline the costs of the energy support package and further help for businesses.
He is also due to announce tax cuts and the cancellation of this year’s national insurance increase.
The Liberal Democrats have chosen to cancel their conference and both the Conservatives and Labour could be expected to pare back events.
Under current plans, Parliamentary recess will continue for almost two weeks longer, with the Tory conference ending on October 5.
A Downing Street spokesperson said on Wednesday: “We are looking at changing the recess dates.”
So what do YOU think? Should MPs end the long parliamentary recess and return after the Queen’s funeral? Vote in our poll and leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
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