UK hopes for victory on working time rules

Report says that the United kingdom is confident it has assembled sufficient support to block moves by 'Brussels' to end its 'long hours' work culture, fuelling a fierce ideological battle with France over the economic future of Europe. Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister, believes he has enough allies to save the UK's exemption from the European working time directive - which imposes a maximum 48-hour working week - at a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 2-3 June 2005.