Days when the House meets are known as sitting days. Breaks when the House isn't meeting are called adjournments or recesses. The Speaker can recall the House during a recess if necessary at the Government’s request.
The time between general elections is known as a Parliament. A new Parliament starts after each general election.
A Parliament is normally divided into sessions that begin in Spring or Autumn and last for roughly a year, but can be longer.
Prorogation is the formal end of a session. A new session begins shortly afterwards with the State Opening and a new King’s Speech, usually at some point in May.
This pattern will continue until the Parliament reaches the end of its five-year term or there's an early general election.
The business for each week is announced by the Leader of the House at the previous week's business questions. The agenda for each day's business is set out in the Order Paper. The Government controls the timetable of the House and can change the business at short notice.
Government business usually has priority. But the House's rules (standing orders) provide for a number of days when non-Government business is taken, such as Opposition days and Private Members’ Bill Fridays. The Backbench Business Committee is also given time for debates in the Chamber and in Westminster Hall.