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More than 3m people are working excessive hours, according to the Trade Union Congress (TUC), 85 per cent of which are men.

More than 3m people are working excessive hours, according to a report from the Trade Union Congress, 85 per cent of which are men.

While the number of those working more than 48 hours a week had been falling year-on-year between 2000 and 2007, there has been a sharp increase of 180,000 in the first quarter this year, compared to the previous quarter.

Finance was one of the sectors with the most prevalence of a long hours culture, along with retail, construction and the motor industry, the TUC said.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said: "Working long hours is making its way back into Britain's workplaces. Employees across the UK already work the longest hours in western Europe and the recent increase will mean lower productivity, more stress and less time to have a life outside the office."

The figures may re-ignite the debate over the EU working time directive, to which Britain applies an individual opt-out. It limits the working week to a maximum of 48 hours.

John Cridland, deputy director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: "Nobody should be forced to work excessively long hours, however people should have the right to go the extra mile when the need arises.

"As the economy slows, it is even more important that the UK retains its opt-out from the working time directive. When times get tough, extra flexibility helps firms that are operating in an ever more global economy to compete."