MPs are calling for the Government to reduce the working week to help boost the economy amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Labour MP John McDonnell and Caroline Lucas are amongst those who have written to the Chancellor calling for a four-day working week in the coming months.
They argue that reducing hours could provide greater opportunities amid growing levels of unemployment.
In the letter sent to the Treasury, they say "shorter working time has been used throughout history as a way of responding to economic crises".
They believe that a four-day working week could overhaul the economy, and provide opportunities amid the growing unemployment crisis.
"A four-day week would give many more opportunities to the growing list of unemployed people which already stands at 2.8 million people," the letter explains.
"Shorter working time has been used throughout history as a way of responding to economic crises.
"They were used as a way of reducing unemployment during the Great Depression of the 1930s, which led to the normalisation of the eight-hour day and the 40-hour week.”
"A four-day week would bring multiple benefits to society, the environment, our democracy, and our economy (through increased productivity).
"One of the biggest impacts would be better mental health and wellbeing across the board with more time available for socialising, family and community.
"Three-quarters of UK workers already supported a four-day working week before the coronavirus pandemic hit and millions of workers have now had a taste of working remotely and on different hours.
"It’s in no one’s interests to return back to the pressure and stress that people were under before this pandemic."
Could a four-day week be introduced in the UK?
While the idea of a reduced week might sound radical, it isn't unique to England.
It's also being considered in Scotland and New Zealand, where it’s seen as a good way to boost internal tourism.
The calls come after Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, suggested employers could consider a four-day working week in response to the Covid-19 crisis, which she said would “certainly” boost the tourism industry.
The four-day working concept first picked up momentum during the 2019 December election, as Labour floated a policy of a 32-hour working week with no loss of pay within ten years.
But campaigners now believe with the country facing an economic crisis in the wake of the pandemic “shorter working time presents itself as one of the best options for fundamentally restructuring the economy so that work is shared more equally”.
