Easter break cut back in hopes of breakthrough

Parliament’s Easter break has been curtailed and could be scrapped completely as MPS struggle to find a Brexit breakthrough.

The Easter recess was originally due to begin after MPS and peers finished work on Thursday and Parliament was not due to resume until 23 April.

But Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom has now confirmed that MPS will be back on the green benches in the week commencing 8 April – and a decision on the following week will be taken “as soon as possible”.

In the upper chamber, chief whip Lord Taylor of Holbeach announced the cancellation of next week’s break, pointing out that following the further defeat of the withdrawal agreement last Friday, thedefaultbrexitdatebecame 12 April.

Meanwhile, there was a European Council meeting planned for 10 April “when any further extension would need to be discussed and agreed”, he said.

Lord Taylor said: “We may need again to react swiftly to consider any necessary legislation to ensure continuing legal certainty.

“I can confirm that it is our intention to sit next week to ensure this House is able to respond to any emerging developments.”

The move was supported by Labour, with “the proviso that it is genuine business arising from Brexit”.

The union representing parliamentary staff said workers’ holidays must be respected.

A spokesman for Unite’s parliamentary staff branch said: “Annual leave must be honoured.

“If any members have had their leave cancelled due to last-minute changes in the parliamentary calendar, that is wrong and they should get in touch with us.”

Meanwhile, the leader of the DUP has rejected suggestions her party is split on the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Arlene Foster said reports that seven of her ten MPS backed the deal were not true. “No, there’s no splits,” she said.