Is PMQs on today? What does Parliamentary recess mean?
During the parliamentary year, the House of Commons and House of Lords periodically close for a break, with neither meeting to discuss government matters.
These periods are called parliamentary recess.
A few events are put on hold during this time, for example, the Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), which take place every Wednesday at noon.
February recess started on Thursday 8 February and will next sit on Monday 19 February at 2.30 pm.
Is PMQs on today?
No, PMQ sessions are cancelled during Parliamentary recess.
PMQs is a weekly session in the House of Commons in which the opposition asks the PM questions and the public gets to see the two leaders face off with each other.
The opposition leader gets six questions, whilst other parties also ask the PM’s questions.
PMQs will return on 21 February 2024 and will be broadcast live on the Parliamentary YouTube channel.
PMQs takes place at noon and usually sits for around 30 minutes.
Are there any circumstances in which Parliament would meet?
Yes – but it would have to involve a major event of national importance.
Parliament can be recalled, but for this to happen, the Government must pass its request to the Commons Speaker – currently Sir Lindsay Hoyle – who makes the final decision.
The Speaker must decide whether it is in the public interest to agree to a recall. He can also decide what days the House of Commons should sit during the recall.
However, the Speaker cannot decide to recall the House of Commons without being asked to do so by the Government.
Parliament was last recalled on 18 August 2021 to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.