Self-employed lorry drivers should not be included in plans to restrict the amount of hours they can work, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

It claimed it would be preferable to scrap the extension of working restrictions on such individuals, which was previously voted for by the European Parliament.

The European Commission (EC) might be an ally in the matter, as the EC proposes that sole traders should not be obliged to be included in the rules.

In fact, John Walker, national chairman of the organisation, said: "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."

The group suggested that self-employed people should not be subject to such interference.

ciltuk.org.uk