Tory holiday plan attacked

Rotherham MP Denis MacShane says Tory moves to quit Europe's social chapter would threaten the statutory paid annual holidays which 30 million British workers enjoy.

The former Europe MInister said: "Thanks to Britain signing up to the social chapter there are now four weeks of statutory paid holidays plus pay on bank holidays which did not exist when John Redwood, who has put this idea forward, was a cabinet minister.

"There is no evidence that allowing families and individuals to have legal paid holidays under EU rules has done any damage to employers or to the British economy and Labour market.

"EU rules also protect workers against discrimination and encourage workplace consultation and, again, there is no evidence this has hurt the economy.

"Only someone with John Redwood's sensitive political judgement would come up with an idea to attack EU rights to paid holidays in the middle of August.

"I hope Dave Cameron backs Redwood, as Lab our should get every bucket and spade vote from Cornwall to the Canary Islands if the Tories think removing EU social rights to statutory paid holidays is a vote winner."