The UK will continue to opt-out of the European 48-hour week as talks on the EU Working Time Directive have broken down without an agreement being reached.

The collapse sees the end of the European Parliament's proposal to phase out the opt-out in three years.

The meeting between in Brussels between the member states, European Parliament and the European Commission was unable to resolve the long-standing differences, and with the deadline for an agreement fast approaching, it was agreed there was no value in continuing the negotiations any further.

Employment relations minister Pat McFadden said: "We refused to be pushed into a bad deal for Britain. We have said consistently that we will not give up the opt-out and we have delivered on that pledge.

"Everyone has the right to basic protections surrounding the hours that they work, but it is also important that they have the right to choose to do so."

Lord Mandelson, business secretary, added: "Millions of people are better off because of the opt-out and I am relieved we have been able to resist its removal."