Spain's Socialist government yesterday officially abolished the siesta. A new law published in the official bulletin decreed that lunch breaks would be limited to one hour to allow civil servants to clock off at 6pm.

Jordi Sevilla, minister for public administration and a father of three, says the aims of the new law are to put an end to the "chaotic hours" worked in the civil service and allow Spaniards to reconcile work and family life. He hopes private sector companies will follow suit.