Ed Miliband – 2021 Comments on Longer Working Weeks

The comments made by Ed Miliband, the Shadow Business Secretary, on 24 January 2021.

The 48-hour week is a vital right for workers. Scrapping this hard-won protection would be the thin end of the wedge, causing working hours to spiral up, risking safety and wellbeing, and meaning many people could have less time to spend with their families.

The future of this right should not even be up for discussion. That Ministers are clapping key workers on the front step and considering forcing a longer working week on them via the back door, shows how seriously out of step their priorities are with those of the British people.

The Government is also failing to listen to businesses who are urging them to tackle the virus, secure the economy and protect jobs – not take a wrecking ball to the rights of working people. Conservative MPs must keep their promises and vote today in line with the needs of workers and businesses – not rip up their protections.