West Worcestershire’s MP, Sir Michael Spicer, insists he will be working hard throughout the controversial 12-week summer break from Westminster.

Parliament closed its doors last week for its annual summer recess, but our MPs have drawn criticism in some quarters for the unusual length of their break – 83 days.

After 35 years as MP, Sir Michael Spicer said his last recess before leaving Parliament will be a busy one. He said: “My office will still be receiving 50 to 70 e-mails, phone calls and letters every day which all need dealing with.

“I still have plenty of appointments in the constituency, and meeting with public bodies such as meeting with the new chief superintendent, and visiting Evesham and Malvern College.

“I will only be taking a 10-day holiday, which hasn’t been booked yet, but I will probably be going to France.

“I am retiring at the next general election so I also have a lot of clearing up work to do – the things I have been meaning to do for the last 35 years.

“The idea that this will be a complete break for MPs is wrong – it will be a summer of hard work.”