A NEW Brussels directive will push up the price of washing-up and oven gloves by a fifth, warns East Lancashire Euro-MP Paul Nuttall.

The UKIP deputy leader says the latest European Commission rules will hit both individuals and business with a price hike.

He claims that the Personal Protective Equipment Directive, due for approval next week, means washing-up gloves will have to be certified to handle detergents and oven gloves tested to cope with temperatures of 200C.

He said: “This is just madness but perfectly demonstrates why we should wash our hands of the EU and make rules for ourselves, which would be driven by common sense, not dreamt up by overpaid bureaucrats. There are many pressing problems that do need resolving but these items are not among them.

“An official impact assessment shows that they will rise in price by up to 20 per cent. Both items come in various thicknesses, quality and price and people can already use their judgement as to which one they want.”