Time spent travelling to and from first and last appointments by workers without a fixed office should be regarded as working time, the European Court of Justice has ruled. This time has not previously been considered as work by many employers. It means firms including those employing care workers, gas fitters and sales reps may be in breach of EU working time regulations. BBC legal correspondent Clive Coleman said it could have a "huge effect". "Employers may have to organise work schedules to ensure workers' first and last appointments are close to their homes," he added.

'Health and safety'

Chris Tutton, from the solicitors Irwin Mitchell, told the BBC: "Thousands of employers may now potentially be in breach of working time regulation rules in the UK."..........Read more here