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The amount of time the UK workforce spends commuting to work has increased sharply in the last decade, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Despite the trend affecting the UK's 25 million commuters generally, London is worst hit, with over a million people commuting for over an hour every day.

With this week being National Smart Commute Week run by Work Wise UK, employers are being urged to improve or offer options such as condensed hours, flexible working or even home working to help cut out the stressful commute so many endure on a daily basis.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, said: "We work some of the longest hours in Europe, and on top of this have to endure the second longest daily commute in Europe - on average 54 minutes per day.

"This adds up to a very stressful working week for millions of workers across the UK, and employers could ease this strain for their workers by introducing flexible working."

He added that those on flexi-time can enjoy a virtually hassle-free journey to work outside peak travel hours having a knock on effect to their state of mind while at work.

The DTI Flexible Working Survey revealed that around one in every five workers without the option of flexi or home-working said they thought having it would bring benefits to their working life.

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