Brits actually do work more durable than our continental counterparts, new information reveals

The UK’s army of self-employed grafters, like white van men and other tradies, do longer hours than the French and take shorter breaks than Italians

We Britons really do work harder than our continental counterparts, new data shows.

The UK’s army of self-employed grafters, like white van men and other tradesfolk, do longer hours than the French and take shorter breaks than Italians.

And toilers from Blighty are the most likely in Europe to slave away through lunchtime and least likely to go away on holiday.

Brits are twice as likely to labour for 40 to 60 hours per week compared to their Gallic cousins across the channel – 32.4% versus 15.1%.

While more than half of the French (53.5%) knock off after a 20-hour week compared to just 20.8% of Brits, found contactless payment firm SumUp.

Pasta-loving Italians take the longest lunches, with 33% of business owners from Italy enjoying a siesta that lasts over an hour.

That’s six times higher than the figure for British tradesmen and women, with just 4.9% downing tools for more than 60 minutes – the lowest in Europe.

UK strivers are also twice as likely as their peers on the continent to take less than one week’s holiday a year.

An astonishing 43% of sloggers from Britain book fewer than seven days off per annum, compared to 17% in France and 11% in Italy.

SumUp product marketing chief Corin Camenisch said: “Our data reveals the stark cultural difference between the UK and its continental European counterparts.

“Small business owners in the UK are significantly more likely to work longer hours with fewer breaks than those in France and Italy.

“This shows the strength of the British entrepreneurial spirit, making clear why Napoleon referred to Britain as ‘a nation of shopkeepers’.”

But Corin added: “However, it also highlights a potentially concerning breakdown of work-life balance.

“Running a small business requires hard graft, passion and a willingness to go above and beyond, but without looking after yourself, you can quickly burn out.”

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