Burnley MP hits back over claims workers' rights could be diluted after Brexit

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng had earlier revealed his department is reviewing how EU employment rights could be adapted after Brexit, including looking at the working time directive, which sets a maximum 48-hour week, but insisted workers' protections would not be eroded.

New rules on rest breaks and changes to how holiday pay is calculated from overtime could also be proposed, according to a Financial Times report.

But, speaking in the Opposition day debate on workers’ rights, his Tory colleague Mr Higginbotham defended the Government's stance.

"We have some of the best standards in the world for workers and there will be no change," he said.

"We have 28 days of annual leave in the UK, compared with a requirement of 20 in the EU. Parental leave allowance stops for a child of eight in the EU but at 18 in the UK. Maternity leave is paid for 39 weeks in the UK, but for only 14 weeks in the EU.

“However, protecting UK workers means more than just these rights; it is about making sure that people get a decent wage for the work that they do."

Mr Kwarteng, speaking to the business, energy and industrial strategy committee, Mr Kwarteng confirmed his department was carrying out a consultation with business leaders on EU employment rules, including the working time directive.

On that, Mr Higginbotham said: “I just want to make something very clear and unequivocal at the outset: we will not reduce workers’ rights."

Shadow business secretary, Labour's Ed Miliband said: "These proposals are not about cutting red tape for businesses but ripping up vital rights for workers. They should not even be up for discussion."

Citing changes made by the Conservative Government on the minimum wage and the threshold for paying tax, the Burnley MP also spoke of the 10p tax bracket which was scrapped by the previous Labour Government.

Speaking after the debate he said: “I heard first hand in the debate Labour's attempt not only to cling to EU regulations by the back door, but also to fear monger as they have tried to do many times before.

"But the Secretary of State could not have been clearer - we have one of the best packages of protections for workers anywhere in the world and the Government is committed to maintaining and enhancing that."