More time off has been cited as the top New Year’s resolution among British managers.

A survey by the Chartered Management Institute of 2400 managers found that 58% intended to spend less time in the workplace in 2004.

Regional differences were stark with 87% of respondents in Scotland registering their intention to work less, compared to 47% in the North West.

Elsewhere in the survey, almost a quarter – 23% – said they would change jobs in the next 12 months.

The area most likely to see job movements is London, with 39% claiming they would change jobs before next Christmas, compared to just 13% of managers in Yorkshire.