A survey by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has found that 60% of UK van drivers are working longer hours now than they were a year ago.
The trend means that drivers are now working an average of nine hours and 10 minutes of work per day – up from eight hours 34 minutes previously, representing a 7% increase. Two in five drivers are now working more than 10 hours per day.
The survey of 1,000 drivers also found that 68% were feeling no more optimistic about the outlook for their business than they did last year, with rising material costs among the greatest challenges.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles national fleet manager Craig Cavanagh said: “Faced with longer hours and concerns around the rising cost of materials, it’s easy to understand the pressure UK van drivers are feeling around the day-to-day running of their businesses.
“We’re supporting those feeling this added pressure, to keep their businesses moving and running costs to a minimum.”
