"Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates for the summer quarter of 2003 reveal growth in total actual weekly hours worked of 1.5 per cent compared with the same period the previous year. This equates to an increase of 4.4 million hours to a total of 906.8 million hours worked (compared to the spring quarter 2003), close to the highest level the series has been at since its inception in 1992. This article identifies the source of the growth using detailed quarterly datasets. It follows on from analysis by Claire Macaulay investigating ‘Recent changes to Self Employment in the UK' and highlights how both changes in the numbers employed and average hours worked impact total actual hours worked for all in employment. It breaks down analysis by sex, employment status, occupation and industry group. Despite representing only 12 per cent of those in employment, the growth in total actual hours worked by the self-employed was responsible for 55 per cent of the growth observed overall (employees 45 per cent). Growth in total actual hours worked for the self-employed is primarily a result of increases in the numbers self-employed. For employees, growth is largely driven by increases in the average hours worked. Approximately 80 per cent of the growth observed in total actual hours worked resulted from growth among those in full-time employment (full-time self-employed 45 per cent, full-time employees 34 per cent).A follow up article extending the analysis of the growth in total actual hours worked in summer 2003 is planned for web dissemination later on this year."

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