WORCESTESHIRE MPs have spoken out about their extra-long Christmas holiday.

Parliament’s forthcoming festive break – from Thursday, December 18, to Monday, January 12 – is a week longer than normal and will be followed by the shortest parliamentary session since 1979.

The 24-day recess has been described by MP for Mid-Worcestershire Peter Luff as “outrageous” and “absolutely wrong”, and by MP for Worcester Mike Foster as “too long”.

“I don’t know what the Government is playing at,” said Mr Luff.

“It’s totally outrageous and absolutely wrong. We still need to properly debate the economic situation. There are so many issues, so much legislation that needs scrutiny, and all we get is a longer holiday.

“It’s outrageous, but there is nothing I can do.”

Mr Luff previously remarked that MPs often continue to work during the summer holiday, answering letters and visiting constituents, but added that “there’s not much you can do in your constituency at this time of year”.

Mr Foster, meanwhile, said the break was “too long for me” and revealed that he will take 17 days off, instead of the full 24.

He said: “I’ll go back the week before Parliament resumes so that extra time means nothing to me. I’ll be working as normal.

“When I first saw the dates I suggested that we came back a week earlier to coincide with the school holidays and, if there was spare time that needed to be allocated, that it be taken at Easter.

“That way, if we are being family friendly, those of us with school children can have holiday accordingly. But, like I said, I’ll be working.”

Next year MPs will sit in the House of Commons for 128 days.