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Paid holidays and the 48-hour working week are under threat from a 'ministerial plot' by Brexit-backing Tories.

It's understood there is widespread support within the Cabinet for plans to axe the Working Time Directive which protects worker's rights.

The Sun on Sunday reports that Brexiteers will demand an end to the EU rule when Cabinet meets tomorrow to decide on their demands over trade talks.

Unions are outraged over the move, with TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady branding it a "straight-up attack" on worker's rights.

She said: "Millions could lose their paid holidays, and be forced to work ridiculously long hours.

"The Working Time Directive gave nearly five million women paid holidays for the first time.

(Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: Daily Mirror)

"No-one voted for Brexit to lose out on holidays, or to hand power over to bad bosses.

"The Prime Minister promised that our working rights would be protected after Brexit.

"Now we will see if she can keep her word, or if she is a hostage to extremists in her own cabinet."

The TUC have said that if the directive is scrapped seven million workers could lose rights to paid holidays - 4.7 million of them women - and many on zero-hours or part-time contracts.

Workers could also lose the right to lunch and rest breaks, and night workers could lose some health and safety protections, according to the TUC.