UK retains working time opt-out

The UK has retained the right to 'opt out' of the EU Working Time Directive, following the collapse of discussions in Brussels.

The directive stipulates that workers aged 18 or over cannot be forced to work for more than an average of 48 hours a week.

However, workers can currently choose to opt out of the regulations by written agreement.

The European Parliament had proposed to phase out the opt-out in three years, but European Parliament and member states were unable to resolve their long-standing differences concerning the issue.

Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said, 'In the UK and many other Member States, choice over working hours has operated successfully for many years. The current economic climate makes it more important than ever that people continue to have the right to put more money in their pockets by working longer hours if they choose to do so'.