New data highlights the East Midlands as the most favourable UK region for tradespeople regarding working hours, commute lengths, and mental health outcomes. The findings come from a report by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles that analysed regional variations in working life for trades professionals.
Tradespeople in the East Midlands work fewer hours on average, 9.03 per day, compared to the national average of 9.25 hours. In contrast, those in the West Midlands work 9.81 hours daily. This adds up to a significant difference over a working week, giving East Midlands professionals more personal time or increased availability for additional jobs.
Commute distances also varied sharply. The East Midlands reported the lowest average daily mileage at 67.95 miles, well below the UK average of 88.37 miles. Tradespeople in London and the North West drove more than 100 miles a day, meaning East Midlands workers potentially save over 20 miles daily, equivalent to 82 hours annually.
This efficiency appears to have mental health benefits. Workers in the East Midlands lost just 2.84 days due to mental health challenges in 2024, undercutting the national average of 3.58 days. Wales recorded the highest at 5.75 days lost.
Key stress factors across the UK included long hours, poor work-life balance, and the job’s physical toll. The data suggests that even incremental schedule or travel time improvements can reduce these pressures.
The study also underscores the potential for electric vans to support productivity and well-being across the trades sector. Most electric vans on the market now cover over 150 miles per charge, well above the average daily requirement, making them a practical option for reducing driver fatigue and enhancing comfort with quieter, tech-enabled cabins.
