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Lib Dems demand scrapping of MPs’ recess to allow scrutiny of mini-budget

The Commons is due to break for the conference season after the Chancellor’s fiscal statement on Friday.

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The Liberal Democrats are demanding the Government cancel the upcoming parliamentary recess to allow proper scrutiny of the Chancellor’s mini-budget.

MPs had been due to break for the conference season on Thursday, but are now sitting a day longer to make time for Kwasi Kwarteng’s fiscal statement on Friday, which is expected to put into practice many of the tax-cutting promises made by Liz Truss during the Tory leadership campaign.

The Commons is due to return from the recess early, on October 11.

But the Lib Dems said the recess is unnecessary and accused the Government of using it to avoid scrutiny.

The party has tabled a motion to scrap the recess, which comes after a summer of political inaction due to the Tory leadership contest.

Liz Truss becomes PM
Kwasi Kwarteng’s fiscal statement is expected to put into practice many of the tax-cutting promises made by Liz Truss during the Tory leadership campaign. (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“Conservative ministers are yet again showing contempt for the British people by hiding away from proper scrutiny.

“Liz Truss should show leadership and cancel Parliament’s recess to pass the extra measures needed to support families and businesses this winter. That should include a much tougher windfall tax on oil and gas companies to fund a real freeze on energy bills.”

The Lib Dems cancelled their autumn conference due to the Queen’s death.

The conference in Brighton was due to begin on September 17 and run until September 20, falling within the period of mourning for the late monarch.

Other parties’ conferences are going ahead, with the Labour Party’s scheduled for September 25-28 in Liverpool, and the Conservatives’ taking place in Birmingham on October 2-5.

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