Working hours in the UK are to be limited to 48 hours a week.

The European Parliament has voted to end the British opt-out of the Working Hours directive.

It means it will be illegal for employees to work more than 48 hours a week, even if they want to.

The vote was passed by 421 to 273 votes, a margin of 148 votes.

Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for the South East, has criticised the decision.

He said: "Quite apart from being unaffordable, this is morally wrong.

Listen to more from Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for the South East here >>>

"If I want to work for you, and you want to employ me, and both of us are happy with the terms of our contract, then it is quite wrong for the state - let alone the EU - to come between us and declare that contract illegal."

The opt-out will now go on until 2012 and there will be further negotiation between the European council of ministers and British government.

What do you think? Is it fair that people will not be able to work more than 48 hours a week even if they want to? Add your comments below >>>