Business leaders, the transport sector and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are none too pleased with the European parliament’s decision in June to include self-employed lorry drivers within the 2002 Directive on the organisation of the working time of lorry and bus drivers despite pledges not to do so.
 
Previously, self-employed drivers could spend up to 56 hours/week driving as long as they drove no more than 90 hours over a two-week period. This change means that drivers will be limited to working a total of 48 hours/week including maintenance, loading and administrative work.
 
The FSB, supported by business leaders and MEPs, has called on the European Commission to stand by its proposal not to include self-employed lorry drivers within the working time regulations.
 
The FSB press release says that by voting for inclusion, the European Parliament has set a dangerous precedent by interfering in the manner in which the self-employed organise their working time.
 
John Walker, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses said:
 
"The vote in June was the last thing wanted by a road haulage industry that is already suffering from over regulation, high fuel prices and the recession. It is recognised that the majority of today's successful road haulage businesses set up as sole traders and these rules will endanger the future formation of similar businesses.

Francis Clark has offices in Exeter, Plymouth, Salisbury, Taunton, Tavistock, Torquay and Truro. Francis Clark is the winner of the ‘Auditor of the Year - Mid Tier’ in the National Financial Directors’ Excellence Awards 2011, and LexisNexis Best General Tax Practice Award 2009. More information is available by logging on at our Online Information Centre