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In reply to a written question from the independent Labour Peer, Lord Stoddart of Swindon about whether the European Commission is considering ending Britain's opt out of the Working Time Directive's restrictions on the working week, the Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Young of Norwood Green (for the Government) has admitted that the 'Loss of the individual's right to opt-out of the 48-hour maximum working week (as set out in the working time directive) would cost billions in terms of lost pay to individuals'.
Commenting on the Government's response, Lord Stoddart said, "It is rare for the Government to commit itself as far as this on the potential cost of EU legislation, though I am less than happy about the wording of its commitment to retaining the opt out. 'Would not support the end of the opt-out' is a long way from saying that it would vigorously oppose its removal. It sounds rather too much like a resigned acceptance of the slightly unpalatable. The right to decide how many hours to work in a week should remain a matter for the individual, not the Government and certainly not the unelected European Commission. That such matters could end up being decided by another diktat from Brussels is a shameful reflection on the declining state of democracy and personal freedom in this country."
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