News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Driver Stuart Colledge told how he took home just £150 last week after delivering up to 300 parcels a day.

The dad of three, who leaves the house at 6am, said: “Some days I finish on time. But often I’m not back until 11 at night. There have been times where I’ve not seen the kids at all for three days in a row. It’s horrible.”

Stuart, 31, said he earned £103 a shift from Amazon sub-contractor Prospect Commercials – but over a week he paid £350 in van hire, insurance and fuel.

He said: “Normal routes are nine hours but at Christmas it’s 10. And they increase your parcels from 160 to nearly 300.

“If you go over your shift and can’t deliver all the parcels they can dock £1 for each one.”

(Image: Nicholas Bowman/Sunday Mirror)

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

He said: “Sometimes you just can’t continue with it. But they say, ‘Complete the route or we won’t pay you’. Or they’ll threaten not to give you work.”

Stuart, from Hinckley, Leics, said the hours meant he was often “half asleep” at the wheel and he knew many drivers did not bother to wear seatbelts.

He added: “We’ve had several drivers whose vans have been taken because they left the keys in. Others have been followed and dragged out.

“Even if it’s not your fault the insurance is a £2,000 excess. You have to cover that.

(Image: Getty)

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“They do it on a payment plan at £50 a week which ties you to the firm for God knows how long until you’ve paid it all.”

Prospect Commercials Ltd said: “It is not correct that drivers are not paid or are fined if they do not complete their route.

“We work hard to provide a good service and supportive work environment for our self-employed contracted drivers.

“We have standard professional expectations and thoroughly investigate any specific complaints or concerns.”