Fresh evidence that Britons are being forced to work long hours was revealed today as unions stepped up their campaign to tackle the UK's excessive hours culture.

The TUC published a new dossier giving details of how people are working up to 80 hours a week, with employers either ignoring or flouting a directive aimed at limiting the working week to 48 hours.

The TUC was meeting European Commission officials in Brussels today to press for an end to the UK's opt-out from the directive.

Among examples used by the TUC were a 26-year-old travel agent working up to 60 hours a week over six days, who had no contract and had never been asked to sign an opt-out from the directive.

Tuesday December 09, 2003