Exercise, cooking, relationships and taking time out are increasingly low on the list of priorities for British workers according to a new survey.

The survey, commissioned by Amercian Express Insurance, found that four out of five respondents neglect their home and social lives to work excessive hours.

Workers allowed less time for exercise and administration duties such as cleaning their home, or attending the dentist’s surgery or giving time to their significant other or dependants.

Women were most often guilty of not finding any personal time. North-East workers were most able at achieving the work-balance contrasting with North-East Scotland who were the worst group in this respect.