Parliament does not sit all year round. During periods called recesses, Members can carry out their other duties.
Recess dates are announced in the House of Commons by the Leader of the House of Commons. In the House of Lords recess dates are announced by the Chief Whip. This page is updated when any announcements are made.
The exact pattern of recesses can change and is normally slightly different for the two Houses.
House of Commons
Recess dates 2010-12 (Note: All recess dates are provisional)
State Opening: 25 May 2010
|
Recess |
House rises |
House returns |
|
Whitsun |
27 May 2010 |
2 June 2010 |
|
Summer |
27 July 2010 |
6 September 2010 |
| Conference Recess |
16 September 2010 |
11 October 2010 |
|
Christmas |
21 December 2010 |
10 January 2011 |
|
Half term |
17 February 2011 |
28 February 2011 |
|
Easter |
5 April 2011 |
26 April 2011 |
| Whitsun |
24 May 2011 |
7 June 2011 |
| Summer |
19 July 2011* |
5 September 2011 |
| Conference |
15 September 2011 |
10 October 2011 |
| Autumn |
15 November 2011 |
21 November 2011 |
| Christmas |
20 December 2011 |
10 January 2012 |
| Constituency |
9 February 2012 |
20 February 2012 |
| Easter |
27 March 2012 |
16 April 2012 |
*House recalled on 20 July & 11 August 2011
Recess dates 2012-13 (Note: All recess dates are provisional)
State Opening: 9 May 2012
|
Recess |
House rises |
House returns |
| Whitsun |
24 May 2012 |
11 June 2012 |
| Summer |
17 July 2012 |
3 September 2012 |
| Conference |
18 September 2012 |
15 October 2012 |
| Autumn |
13 November 2012 |
19 November 2012 |
| Christmas |
20 December 2012 |
7 January 2013 |
House of Lords
Recess dates 2010-12, 2012-13 (Note: All recess dates are provisional)
State Opening: 25 May 2010
The date of the State Opening for the 2012-13 session is to be confirmed
|
Recess |
House rises |
House returns |
|
Whitsun |
26 May 2010 |
2 June 2010 |
|
Summer |
28 July 2010 |
5 October 2010 |
|
Christmas |
22 December 2010 |
10 January 2011 |
|
Half term |
16 February 2011 |
28 February 2011 |
|
Easter |
6 April 2011 |
26 April 2011 |
| Whitsun |
25 May 2011 |
6 June 2011 |
| Summer |
20 July 2011 |
5 September 2011 |
|
15 September 2011 |
3 October 2011 |
| Autumn |
16 November 2011 |
21 November 2011 |
| Christmas |
21 December 2011 |
10 January 2012 |
| Half term |
16 February 2012 |
27 February 2012 |
| Easter |
28 March 2012 |
16 April 2012 |
| The Queen's Diamond Jubilee |
30 May 2012 |
11 June 2012 |
| Summer |
25 July 2012 |
8 October 2012 |
| Autumn |
14 November 2012 |
19 November 2012 |
| Christmas |
20 December 2012 |
8 January 2013 |