Working Time Vote Could Undermine the Flexibility of the British Economy

12.33.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th May 2005

Malcolm Bruce MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for the Department of Productivity, Energy and Industry, responding to the vote by the European Parliament to scrap a key opt-out clause of the Working Time Directive warned that the decision could undermine the vital flexibility of the British economy. He said:

"Old Labour is now challenging Tony Blair head on, and it has been left to Liberal Democrat MEPs to stand up for the right of workers to negotiate their own hours.

"If people are being exploited then of course they should have recourse to the law, but the application of this directive could actually lead to a cut in people's wages.

"The British Government must stick to its guns and prevent this change getting through the EU Council of Ministers."