The Spanish Prime Minister has announced moves to cut the working day by two hours and bring an end to the traditional siesta, in an attempt to bring the country into line with its European counterparts.

Mariano Rajoy, the head of the centre-right coalition government, wants to scrap the traditional extended midday break.

Mr Rajoy said: "I will find a consensus to make sure the working day ends at 6pm."

While the siesta is no longer universally observed - its impact on the length of an average working day can still be felt.

The siesta was founded historically on the basis of allowing the country's largely agricultural workers to avoid the searing midday heat, the Times reports.

Despite working longer hours than their German counterparts, statistics from the OECD show Spanish workers' productivity is much lower.

The 10 most prosperous countries in the world Show all 10 1 /10 The 10 most prosperous countries in the world The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 10. Ireland The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 9. Finland The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 8. Netherlands The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 7. Australia of the British and Irish Lions take part in the Sydney Harbour Bridge Clim on June 12, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 6. Canada The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 5. Sweden The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 4. New Zealand The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 3. Denmark COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - JUNE 20: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this handout image provided by Red Bull, shows cyclists and pedestrians on Nyhavn street during the second stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on June 20, 2013 at Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Dean Treml/Red Bull via Getty Images) The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 2. Switzerland The 10 most prosperous countries in the world 1. Norway 2008 Getty Images

A 2013 Spanish parliamentary commission said: "We need more flexible working hours, to cut our lunch breaks, to streamline business meetings by setting time limits for them, and to practise and demand punctuality."

The report explained cutting the siesta would raise the quality of life, raise the low birth rates and reduce marriage breakdowns.

It is thought Mr Rajoy is backing this popular decision in an attempt to win votes in the upcoming general election in June.

Sweden's 6 hour work day explained

He is also looking to return Spain back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as it is currently one hour ahead of London, the same as eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic.