MPs clocked off early on almost half of all sitting days last year as ... trends now
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Rishi Sunak has been accused of leading a 'zombie government' after figures revealed MPs clocked out early on almost half of all working days in the past 18 months.
Of the 213 sitting days in the 2022-23 Parliamentary session, the Commons chamber rose more than ten minutes ahead of schedule on 100 of them - some 47 per cent of the total.
In all, around 134 hours of legislative time was wasted because there was no work for MPs to do in terms of debates or votes.
Analysis by the Labour Party of official Commons data also shows that this was despite a spike in the amount of 'backbench business' - debates put forward by MPs rather than based on government work - to fill the yawning gap.
Lucy Powell, shadow leader of the Commons, said: 'With families struggling with the cost of living and Tory mortgage mayhem, the Conservatives have given up on governing, making MPs clock off early half the time.
'Whilst the Government flails around, Labour MPs are desperate to use this time the Tories are wasting.'
Of the 213 sitting days in the 2022-23 Parliamentary session, the Commons chamber rose more than 10 minutes ahead of schedule on 100 of them - some 47 per cent of the total
