Conservative MPs have “by no means labored more durable”, the chancellor has claimed following accusations Rishi Sunak is presiding over a “zombie parliament”.
The common size of a Commons sitting day has been shorter this parliamentary session than every other previously 25 years, in accordance with evaluation by the Monetary Instances.
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However Jeremy Hunt insisted on Friday that constituency work was crucial a part of an MP’s job, and parliamentarians had been working more durable than ever of their seats.
The chancellor informed reporters: “I believe that there are many issues individuals need from their MPs however extra legal guidelines being handed might be not prime of the record.
“I believe crucial factor is how onerous MPs are working of their constituencies, and I’d say, definitely with regards to Conservative MPs, I’ve by no means seen a parliament the place Conservative MPs have labored more durable than this parliament to do the fitting factor for his or her constituents.”
The prime minister’s official spokesman stated the federal government was delivering “a packed legislative agenda” with 26 payments launched within the present session and remained “dedicated to facilitating debates on essential points”.
MPs’ jobs contain greater than talking and voting within the Commons chamber, and embrace collaborating in different parliamentary enterprise equivalent to choose committees and serving to constituents.
Jeremy Hunt claimed Conservative MPs have ‘by no means labored more durable’. Pic: PA
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However the FT’s findings have led to accusations that the present session is a “zombie parliament”, with little legislative work being achieved and the Commons usually rising early.
The common period of a Commons sitting day within the present parliamentary session, which began in November, has been seven hours and 9 minutes – a document low since New Labour got here to energy in 1997, the newspaper discovered.
On 5 March, the day earlier than the funds, the Commons sat for lower than 4 and a half hours.
However even earlier than the present session, Labour had criticised the federal government for an absence of parliamentary enterprise.
In June final yr, after the Commons had sat on at some point for lower than three hours, the then shadow chief of the home Thangam Debbonaire requested: “How are Tory ministers spending their time?
“As a result of they’re clearly not delivering of their departments. Are they racing residence to observe daytime TV as a substitute?”
On the time, a Quantity 10 spokesperson denied this was the case, saying there have been “numerous essential items of laws going by way of the Home”.
