MPs urge Sunak to consider a four-day week

A cross-party group of MPs have urged the Government to explore the possibility of a four-day working week to aid the recovery from the coronavirus crisis.
By Iain Lynn
Published 21st Jun 2020, 07:00 BST
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Labour's former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, the SNP's Mhairi Black and Green MP Caroline Lucas have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Backed by campaigners and the Communication Workers Union, they asked for a commission to be set up to mirror one established in Scotland.

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They argue a four-day working week would improve mental health and wellbeing and be a boost to the economy, democracy and environment.

Labour's former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, the SNP's Mhairi Black and Green MP Caroline Lucas have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.Labour's former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, the SNP's Mhairi Black and Green MP Caroline Lucas have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Labour's former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, the SNP's Mhairi Black and Green MP Caroline Lucas have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

"It's in no one's interests to return back to the pressure and stress that people were under before this pandemic," they added.

In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has floated the idea that a four-day week could aid the economy in the wake of the crisis.

Aidan Harper, an activist for the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: "Work has changed forever as a result of this crisis and we want to make sure we have a better model of work emerging from it as we had going in.

"If we are serious as a country about building back better after this pandemic, then a four-day week must be in the mix."

Related topics:MPsGovernmentWorkLabourSNP