Would scrapping the 48-hour working week be good for Brexit Britain’s economy?

It’s claimed that giving employers more flexibility and encouraging Britons to work longer hours would help the economy to grow. But is that plausible? Ben Chu investigates

There is no clamour from business to overhaul employment regulations (AFP via Getty)

The government seems to be considering using its post-Brexit freedom to diverge from European Union regulations by dismantling various rules which govern the workplace.

This, according to the Financial Times, includes scrapping the maximum 48-hour week as well as certain rules around rest breaks at work and holiday pay entitlement.

The proposals are clearly at an early stage and may not go anywhere, but it’s long been an argument among Brexit supporters on the right that one of the benefits of leaving the EU would be the ability to scrap such workplace rules.