The number of people working night shifts in the United Kingdom has increased by 9% or 275,000 people over the last five years, according to a report released on in October by the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The TUC found that Britain's growing army of night workers now accounts for one in eight employees and that 3.14 million people now work at night.

The analysis shows that women are fuelling the increase. They account for more than two-thirds (69%) of the growth of night working since 2011 and one in 11 women employees, compared with one in seven male employees, now regularly work at night. Most female night workers are in care work and nursing.

In contrast, male night workers are most likely to work in protective service occupations (military, security and policing) and road transport. However, the number of men doing night shifts in these professions has fallen by 26% and 12% respectively over the past five years.

The age group with the highest proportion of night workers is 45-49.

Source: Labour Research Department