UK workers are snack happy

Formal lunches are out

The lunch hour at work is fast becoming a thing of the past according to a new report.

Many workers are forgoing a lunch hour in favour of grabbing quick snacks throughout the day said the report by market analysts Datamonitor.

The report says the increasing presence of fridges and microwaves in the workplace has encouraged UK workers to keep on snacking.

UK workers spend £15bn a year on food during the day - more than any other country in Western Europe.

Supermarkets, selling ready made meals and pre-packed sandwiches, are the main beneficiaries.

But it seems some workers still enjoy lunch in a more traditional setting, one in five said that they still go to a restaurant at lunchtimes.

Of the remainder, 10% said they went to a canteen at work and 15% brought food in from home.