1. Parliamentary recess
The House of Commons returned from summer recess on Monday 6 September for a short two-week sitting. It will ‘rise’ again for conference recess on Thursday 16 September, before returning on Monday 11 October 2010.
The House of Lords remains on recess, and will return on Tuesday 5 October 2010.
2. Party conferences
Party conference season kicks off this week, with the Trades Union Congress taking place on 13-16 September in Manchester. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has warned of a major ‘fight-back’ from unions this autumn in opposition to the proposed public sector funding cuts.
Liberal Democrat party conference will be in Liverpool the following week, from the 18-22 September. Labour Party conference will be 26-30 September in Manchester, and will follow the announcement of the Labour leadership and Mayoral candidate contests on Saturday 25 September. Conservative Party conference will be in Birmingham, from 3-6 October.