Business groups and trade unions have clashed yet again over the Working Time Directive, after the government decided to set up a consultation on the issue.

In a statement that will be welcomed by small firms, the government said that it was still committed to retaining the UK’s opt-out of the WTD, which restricts employees to a 48-hour week.

However, ministers have created a consultation on the WTD, which is in force in most EU nations.

Business groups have long been opposed to a 48-hour week, claiming it would harm the competitiveness of UK companies. Trade unions, however, have argued that long hours must be curbed to protect employees’ health.

As reported by Startups.co.uk yesterday, a new survey has found that 81 per cent of UK employers are against the removal of the opt-out.

Announcing the consultation, employment relations minister Gerry Sutcliffe said that the position on the retention of the opt-out was very clear.

“It’s important that we protect workers from having to work more than 48 hours a week, but equally important that we enable those who freely choose to work longer hours to do so.

“However, we are open to ideas on how the operation of the opt-out can be improved – that is why we are seeking views now, so that they can be taken into consideration as we move forward with the European Commission’s review of the WTD,” he said.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) welcomed the consultation and claimed that allegations of widespread abuse of the op-out were “wildly overdone”

John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI, said that employees and employers shouldn’t be denied the freedom to work when they want.

“Business want to stamp out abuses that do exist. They undermine the regulations and put law-abiding firms at a competitive disadvantage.

“We want to resolve these issues constructively, but we will strongly resist any heavy-handed over-reaction,” he said.

But the Trades Union Congress (TUC) attacked the government for not putting an end to long hours.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said that it was hard to take the consultation seriously.

“The minister’s statement makes it clear that the government has made its mind up to resist an effective crackdown on Britain’s long hours culture,” he said.

To see a copy of the consultation document, go to www.dti.gov.uk/er/work_time_regs/index.htm