Rising costs emerge as the biggest source of mental pressure for UK tradespeople

Rising costs are putting the most mental strain on tradespeople across the UK, with almost four in 10 (38%) saying they cause high pressure, according to new research. The data from Tradesman Saver which forms part of its new Trade Wellbeing Report, shows that financial worries dominate the factors affecting mental wellbeing.

Alongside rising costs, a lack of sick pay or financial safety net (28%), unpredictable income (25%), supporting a family (24%) and late payments from customers (23%) are all identified as major sources of mental pressure.

While the physical demands of being on the tools are still a concern for almost a quarter (24%) of those asked, the findings suggest that many are increasingly carrying the mental strain that comes with the realities of running a business.

The impact of this mental load is already being felt, with one in five (20%) tradespeople saying they had taken time off work during the past year because of stress, anxiety or burnout. Of those, almost a third (29%) were away from work for between one and three months. The research also found that loss of income through illness or injury has a huge impact, with 40% of respondents saying it was the hardest thing to deal with.

Dean Laming, Managing Director at Tradesman Saver, said: “Construction has always been physically demanding, but our research shows that for many tradespeople it’s the financial uncertainty that is creating the greatest mental pressure.

“Rising costs, fluctuating workloads and the lack of a financial safety net can create a constant sense of unpredictability. When you’re self-employed, those worries don’t stop at the end of the working day, because your business and often your family’s financial wellbeing depend on your ability to keep working.

“Mental health and financial resilience are closely linked. If we want to support the long-term health of the industry, we have to recognise the impact that financial pressures are having alongside the physical demands of the job.”

To find out more about the physical and mental wellbeing of the trades, you can download the report here.