Unions call for cap on working week

Trade union leaders have renewed calls for a 48-hour cap on the working week at the Labour Party Conference, in a bid to end Britain's opt out of the European Union working time directive.

Leaders used the conference in Manchester to move a motion to legally limit the number of hours that employees spend at work each week. Union Unite said the change is necessary to protect vulnerable workers. It was backed by trade unions and conference delegates from the party's grass roots. A spokesman said: "This is an indication of the seriousness of the issue."

Party leaders opposed the motion and ministers insisted that the vote would not change government policy.