MPs face 12-hour days and no holiday as PM scrambles to finish Brexit withdrawal laws

BREXIT-battered MPs face 12-hour days and no holiday as Theresa May scrambles to get withdrawal laws finished in time.

Downing Street is in talks with Commons officials about extended sittings to meet the March 29 departure day.

Even if the PM gets her deal agreed by MPs, it cannot become law until huge swathes of legislation have been passed.

New laws include complex rules on EU citizens living in the UK, updating border rules and enshrining the Brexit treaty into law.

It would normally take months, but there are just 61 days left and drastic action is needed to complete the necessary work.

Mrs May wants the Commons to sit daily from 9am to 9pm, instead of the current 11.30am to 7pm.

MPs will also be forced to attend Westminster sessions on Fridays, which they normally us to work in their constituencies, meeting voters and attending local events.

The ten-day recess during the February half-term break is also likely to be dropped so they can get through the heavy workload.

But the move will infuriate some MPs, who value time in their constituencies or may have booked a family holiday.

Last night a Downing Street spokesman said: “We remain committed to ensuring all necessary legislation is in place for exit day on March 29, and it important to stress we are confident of meeting that commitment.

“We are aware this is a challenging timetable, so as a precautionary measure we are in preliminary discussions about extending sitting times – but only if necessary.

“All MPs will have a chance to debate and vote before any extension to hours is taken and we recognise the need to balance this with the constituency role of all MPs and the importance of family life.”

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