Tony Blair has criticised MEPs for their "wrong [and] completely misguided" attempt to end Britain's right to opt out of limits on working hours.

Speaking at his monthly press conference yesterday, the prime minister said he wanted to avoid Britain having to enforce a 48-hour average working week.

"I have no intention whatever of abolishing our opt-out," Blair said.

Interviewed in the FT, Derek Simpson, head of the largest private sector union, sets out his demands for more worker-friendly policies.

Speaking ahead of Amicus' annual conference, which starts tomorrow in Brighton, Simpson says: "With globalisation it is easier, cheaper and more politically expedient to see UK workers sacked."