Four-day week in the UK

Motion Text

That this House recognises the opportunity for exploring shorter working time for the UK, including a four-day week, as one route out of the covid-19 pandemic; further recognises that work patterns have been dramatically altered as a result of the pandemic, notes that shorter working time has been used throughout history as a way of responding to economic crises; believes that a four-day week could bring multiple benefits to society, the environment, democracy, and the economy through increased productivity; congratulates Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand for speaking about the four-day week as a key way in which New Zealand’s economy can recover from the crisis; highlights the Scottish Government’s announcement in May that its Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission plans to explore the potential for a four-day working week for Scotland; and calls on the Government to make the same commitment towards a better future for the UK by setting up a comparable commission to consider a range of options and models in relation to shorter working times.