Sick and tired of waiting on hold for an eternity and dealing with robotic voices? Do you dread phoning your bank knowing that you will be greeted not by a friendly human voice, but some disembodied computerised message droning out a confusing list of options?

If so you'll be relieved to discover that one UK-based company, World First, has turned its back on automated answer machines for good.

The fall in employment and the growth of home working has helped to cut average commute times to a 10 year low of 47 minutes and 48 seconds per day, according to a TUC analysis of official figures. Using figures from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the TUC has calculated that £339 million worth of working time is spent travelling to and from work every day.

The standard deadline for paying bills will be 30 days under a deal with the Council endorsed by EU Parliament in plenary session on Wednesday.

The new rules should ensure that small firms no longer face financial problems due to the late payment of bills by public authorities or companies and bolster solvency, innovation and jobs.