New rules introduced by the Spanish government that aim to improve conditions for staff could affect the country's nightlife, UK tourists have been warned.

Spain is one of the top destinations for Brits in the summer. And as we approach spring and the warmer months, many of you might already be looking to book that all-important seat on the plane.

However, Spain's Minister of Employment and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz, has announced that new regulations will be introduced to adjust "not reasonable" opening times.

"A country that has its restaurants open at one in the morning is not reasonable. It is crazy to try to continue extending hours until I don't know what time," Diaz stated during a speech at Spain's congress on Monday, March 4.

Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, responded by saying: "Spain has the best nightlife in the world, with streets full of life and freedom. And they also provide jobs.

"They want us Puritans, materialists, socialists, without soul, without light and without restaurants because they feel like it. Bored and at home."

Jose Luis Yzuel, the president of Hospitality of Spain, also criticised the move. The plan aims to improve working hours for staff in the hospitality industry.

Diaz raised concerns about the negative impact on mental health caused by working past 10 pm.

One hospitality worker highlighted the financial pressure many establishments are under, saying: "We already cut customers, we cut with the pandemic, and we cut the closure; we are only going to dedicate ourselves to pay taxes and collect zero."

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Diaz has argued for shorter working hours and for businesses to close an hour earlier. "It is not reasonable for Spain to be a country where we convene meetings at 20:00 in the evening. It is not reasonable for a country that has its restaurants open at 1:00 a.m," Diaz said.

But some people who work in pubs and restaurants don't agree with this idea.

They say that closing earlier could hurt businesses that are already trying to recover from the tough times caused by COVID-19.