3.42 million since 2010, with education in particular seeing a 31 per cent rise from 376,000 to 492,000.
The Labour Force Survey statistics have been compiled by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and have sparked a warning that excessive working hours will damage the health of the country’s workforce.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Britain’s long hours culture is hitting productivity and putting workers’ health at risk. Working more than 48 hours a week massively increases the risk of strokes, heart disease and diabetes.
“We need stronger rules around excessive working, not an opt-out of the Working Time Directive.”
Commenting on the figures, Adrian Prandle, director of economic strategy and negotiations at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: “This study shows what teachers already feel – that they are working too many hours to the detriment of children’s education and their own health.
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