Van drivers are working longer hours, with work pressures adding more than half an hour to an average work day compared to 2023.
A survey of 1,000 UK van drivers by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles shows that drivers are now putting in 9-hour, 10-minute shifts, representing a 7% increase over the 8 hours and 34 minutes an average driver worked in February 2023.
One in five drivers go further, working more than 10 hours every day.
With almost two-thirds working longer hours, there’s little optimism that the situation will improve. 68% feel there’ll be little progress over the next 12 months as rising costs, especially materials, contribute to a bleak economic outlook. Despite inflation falling to 4.2% in January, materials such as ready-mixed concrete and flexible pipes and fittings are up 14.6% and 23.8%, respectively.
“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,” explained Craig Cavanagh, national fleet manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “As part of our ‘Working With You’ commitment, we’re supporting those feeling this added pressure to keep their businesses moving and running costs to a minimum.”
Volkswagen’s assistance starts with a range of service plans starting from under £10 a month, taking the sting out of unplanned bills and unexpected repair costs.
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