Further push for 48-hour working week cap

More pub managers are set to cap their working hours as the EU presses the government to implement the 48-hour working week.

Trade union the National Association of Licensed House Managers (NALHM), is in the final stages of agreeing a deal to limit hours with one of the UK's biggest pub operators, with a formal announcement due shortly.

As well as that agreement NALHM national officer Peter Love said the union held an informal meeting with Spirit Group on January 7. Until now, the company has resisted attempts to agree a cap on hours, insisting that its managers sign opt-out agreements of the Working Time Directive.

Mr Love said the situation had changed since the takeover of Scottish & Newcastle Retail by Spirit. Former S&N managers have retained their employment terms and conditions, including an agreed limit on hours. A spokeswoman said Spirit was trying to harmonise working conditions for all managers across the enlarged company.

The EU argues that many UK workers are unfairly pressured to waive their right to work a maximum of 48 hours a week. It has launched a legal review of the UK's opt-out agreement.