Labour MP tables bill to give every worker a four-day week

Every worker in the UK should have the chance to work a four-day week, a Labour MP has said.

A new bill, tabled by Peter Dowd, has called for average working hours reduced from 40 to 32 a week.

The Bootle MP has said the proposition would also make sure to protect low-paid workers.

The bill is due for debate in the House of Commons mid-October.

Mr Dowd said: ‘I am introducing this legislation because we’re long overdue a shorter working week.

‘In the UK, workers put in some of the longest working hours across Europe while pay and productivity remains low in comparison.

‘In numerous examples across the world the four-day week with no loss of pay has been shown to boost productivity and the wellbeing of workers.’

The move towards a four-day week is a popular idea among workers, after nine in 10 companies said they’d extend the policy beyond a six-month trial.

Across the country, more than 70 companies and 3,300 workers are taking part in the world’s biggest ever four-day working week trial.

Just last week, South Cambridgeshire District Council announced plans to become the first UK local authority to pilot a four-day week, with no loss in pay.

A study by the think tank Autonomy also revealed if the four-day working week was implemented across the economy with no loss of pay for workers, it would be affordable to the majority of firms.

Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: ‘This bill gives every British worker the chance of moving to a four-day week.

‘Imagine how much happier we would all be. It would give us the time to properly rest, enjoy a better quality of life and boost productivity at work.

‘The 9-5, five day working week is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.’

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