Each Parliament (of up to five years) is divided into annual sessions. These usually begin in November with the State Opening of Parliament and finish in the following November.
When does Parliament usually meet?
Although there is no definitive timetable for a parliamentary session, Parliament will normally sit for the following times:
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State Opening (marking the beginning of the session, usually November) until shortly before Christmas
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Early January until Easter (except for a recess week in February)
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Easter until late July (except for a recess week at the Spring Bank Holiday
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Early October until prorogation (marking the end of the session, usually November.
Short and long sessions
Often the sessions immediately before or after a general election are shorter or longer than usual. For example, following the 2005 general election, the parliamentary session started on 17 May 2005 and ended on 8 November 2006.
What do MPs and Lords do when Parliament is not sitting?
When Parliament is not sitting, MPs work in their constituencies. This work includes holding advice sessions (known as surgeries), dealing with constituency casework and correspondence, and attending local events.
What MPs do
Members of the Lords do not represent constituencies. Many Lords hold additional jobs outside Parliament which they can devote more time to during recess.
What Lords do