Motion text
That this House recognises that UK workers put in some of the longest full-time working hours across Europe, yet the longer hours worked are not translating into increased productivity; notes that since the covid-19 pandemic a four-day working week with no reduction in pay for employees has been successfully trialled across the world, including in the UK; believes that, as these trials have shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay could lead to increased productivity, while also bringing benefits to workers, employers, and wider society; welcomes the PCS union's campaign for a pilot of a four-day week with no loss of pay in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); further notes that the union has already identified a four-day week could save approximately £3.6 million by reducing turnover, equivalent to hiring 2,348 employees, reduce absenteeism by 65 per cent, the equivalent of gaining 328 employees at DEFRA, help parents better balance professional and childcare responsibilities and promote a more equal division of childcare duties, making DEFRA a more inclusive workplace for women and reducing pay and employment disparities, resulting in a significant reduction the in the UK’s carbon footprint; and calls on the Government to take the initiative, that has been shown elsewhere in the public sector, such as in South Cambridgeshire Council - where a pilot showed huge benefits, including cost savings, better staff retention, lower sickness rates and improvements in service delivery - forward, by introducing its own trial in DEFRA.
Signatures (20)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
McDonnell, John
Independent
Signed on
11 September 2024
Lewis, Clive
Labour
Signed on
11 September 2024
Lavery, Ian
Labour
Signed on
11 September 2024
McDonald, Andy
Labour
Signed on
11 September 2024
Saville Roberts, Liz
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
11 September 2024
Johnson, Kim
Labour
Signed on
12 September 2024
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Davies, Ann
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
12 September 2024
Lake, Ben
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
12 September 2024
Medi, Llinos
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
12 September 2024
Duncan-Jordan, Neil
Labour
Signed on
12 September 2024
Trickett, Jon
Labour
Signed on
12 September 2024
Ribeiro-Addy, Bell
Labour
Signed on
7 October 2024
Foy, Mary Kelly
Labour
Signed on
7 October 2024
Chowns, Ellie
Green Party
Signed on
7 October 2024
Long Bailey, Rebecca
Independent
Signed on
7 October 2024
Whittome, Nadia
Labour
Signed on
7 October 2024
Berry, Siân
Green Party
Signed on
7 October 2024
Byrne, Ian
Independent
Signed on
7 October 2024
Begum, Apsana
Independent
Signed on
21 October 2024
Ramsay, Adrian
Green Party
Signed on
30 October 2024
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.