The UK opt-out from the Working Time Directive is under threat following a vote in the European Parliament. The report voted on calls for the revision of the opt-out, with a view to phasing it out as soon as possible.

South East MEPs Caroline Lucas (Green) and Nigel Farage (UK Independence Party) have gone on the record voting against British interests. The report now represents the official opinion of the European Parliament, and is a strong indication of future legislation from the EU.

Local Conservative MEP Nirj Deva has been campaigning to retain the UK's rights to opt out of this directive. He said:

"I believe a person has the right to choose the amount of hours he works. The abolition of our opt-out to the Working Time Directive will seriously damage labour market flexibility in the UK. A limit on working hours would deny people the freedom to choose their working patterns and would prevent millions from earning overtime pay.

Research has shown that the majority of British employers and employees are in favour of retaining the opt-out. By voting to remove the UK opt-out, these MEPs have ignored the views of their constituents and their own government, and have threatened current working practices in the UK."