82 DAYS OFF FOR MPS; Fury at summer break lasting to Oct 12.

Byline: JASON BEATTIE

MPs came under attack last night as they shamelessly prepared to take an 82-DAY summer holiday.

The politicians will leave Westminster on Tuesday - and not return again until October 12.

It is one the longest Parliamentary breaks on record and comes despite the swine flu crisis and expenses scandal.

MPs argue they will spend most of their break working in their constituency.

But they are under no formal obligation to spend any of the 12 weeks on parliamentary business.

Fearful of a backlash, Gordon Brown has banned ministers taking long hols.

But pressure group 38 Degrees has decided to keep tabs on them and produce a league table of MPs who spend most time on constituency work.

Urging people to report idle politicians, boss David Babbs said: "People's trust in MPs is lower than ever. With summer holidays longer than school children's, we're making sure they are not spending the break topping up their tans."

Matthew Sinclair, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, added: "It's outrageous they enjoy such long holidays."

The PM will take a brief family break in the Lake District next month. Tory leader David Cameron will holiday in Brittany, France and Greece, while Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg will be in Spain. Shadow Chancellor George Osborne - whose last summer holiday in Greece ended in the Yachtgate scandal - will be taking his family to Cornwall.

No 10 has sent a memo to senior politicians, warning: "Duty ministers are expected to be on duty in London."

Voice of the Mirror: Page 8