Calls grow for House of Commons to delay summer break so that MPs can grill new Prime Minister Andy Burnham - as it emerges that House of Lords is still sit

By MARTIN BECKFORD, POLICY EDITOR Published: 22:13, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 22:14, 13 July 2026 MPs could easily delay their summer break to grill Andy Burnham because peers are still working next week, it has been claimed. Calls are growing for the House of Commons to sit for an extra day on Monday, instead of rising on Thursday as planned, so the new Prime Minister can give a statement and take questions from politicians. There is outrage that Mr Burnham, who has not spoken in Parliament since he was elected almost a month ago, may be able to dodge scrutiny of his plans for Government until September having escaped the prospect of a Labour leadership contest. And a senior Tory MP pointed out that the House of Lords does not rise until next Thursday, after the change of leader takes place, so the Commons could do the same. Dame Harriett Baldwin asked Cabinet minister Sir Alan Campbell on Monday: 'Since the other place is sitting next week, there is nothing to stop this House and him tabling a business statement to enable us to sit next week as well. 'Given the enormity of the events happening in the Government next week, doesn't the Leader of the House think that would be a good idea?' But Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupted: 'Can I also say it would take the House to agree such a move, and I'm not sure the House is quite ready with the colleagues' faces.' And Sir Alan, who as Leader of the House organises the Government's business in the Commons, said the dates had already been agreed by all parties. Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham pictured near his home on Sunday He replied: 'I just announced the recess dates. There are no plans to change the dates in which the House is sitting. 'As you have alluded to, Mr Speaker, recess dates are agreed by the House in advance to make certainty of parliamentary business for colleagues. 'Just to reassure the House that the work of Government will continue through the recess.' Downing Street also brushed aside calls to delay the start of the summer recess, claiming that it was a matter for Parliament. The Prime Minister's spokesman told reporters: 'Recess dates are agreed by the House following motions tabled by the Government. They are set out well in advance to allow parliament to plan its business properly. Any change would require the agreement of the House. 'As has always been the case, the work of government continues throughout recess.' Jesse Norman, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, said: 'This is all nonsense. The Government has a majority of at least 150. It can recall Parliament whenever it likes. 'It recalled Parliament at the drop of a hat in April last year to nationalise British Steel. The least it can do now is sit for one more Monday now, so MPs can start to scrutinise a new Prime Minister the country knows so little about.' The Liberal Democrats meanwhile have called for a special double-length Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday so that Mr Burnham can answer MPs straight after Sir Keir Starmer's final session. The party's Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said: 'With Andy Burnham potentially days away from Number 10, the public is still completely in the dark on where he stands on crucial issues like social care, environment and foreign affairs. 'He should not be allowed to bypass parliamentary scrutiny. Burnham must face questions in Parliament this week so MPs have a fair opportunity to grill him on behalf of the constituents they represent. Liberal Democrats are calling for extra time at PMQs this week to allow for just that.' Mr Burnham's team have insisted he will be 'out across the country throughout the summer' and will answer questions from the public as well as the media.