Business leaders have stepped into the debate over MPs' holidays with calls for an end to the 11-week summer "recess" - when the House of Commons closes down.
It follows calls from Midland MP David Winnick (Lab, Walsall North) for the long summer break to be reduced.
Mr Winnick warned colleagues that most voters think they simply enjoy long holidays, even though MPs claim they use the time to help constituents.
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Now Ian Brough, chief executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, has called for the Commons to open throughout the year like any other workplace.
He said: "We know that the best of our MPs work hard throughout the year in their constituencies, but they do themselves no favours by maintaining these old fashioned working practices."
As well as 11 weeks in the summer, MPs currently take breaks at Christmas and Easter - and three more breaks a year for school half terms.
It means Parliament is not sitting for 19 weeks a year.
But Mr Brough, who represents businesses leaders across the Black Country, said it should simply close down for short periods over Christmas and Easter like any other office. The one concession to MPs should be a short break of just three weeks to allow them to attend their party conferences.
