The campaign to retain Britain’s opt out of the 48-hour working week has been boosted after a Lords committee concluded it was “one of the best ways” to preserve the country’s competitiveness.
One-fifth of the UK workforce – 3·7 million employees – regularly work longer than 48 hours a week. Some MEPs and Commission officials have argued that UK employers are abusing the opt out by coercing staff to work longer hours.

However, the cross-party select committee, established to improve scrutiny of European Union social legislation, has said that the structure of British business makes the inclusion of voluntary opt out a “particularly suitable” way of introducing flexibility into the 48-hour limit.

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Electrical and Mechanical Contractor