Tony Blair has spent more than a quarter of the last six months out of the country, it has emerged.

The prime minister's six day trip to Asia - which begins today - is his ninth major foreign trip since mid July. He has also taken three week long family holidays in Mexico, France and Egypt.

With Blair planning a week long trip to Africa next month and a three day visit to Australia for a commonwealth summit in early March, opposition MPs are warning that the prime minister is neglecting the drive to improve public services at home.