Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Surprise, surprise, most of us want a four-day working week

Surprise, surprise, most of us want a four-day working week

Most people in the UK support moving to a four-day working week, new polling reveals.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, almost six in ten adults say they want to see the standard working week reduced to 32 hours, with no loss of pay.

The research comes after the Scottish government announced it would be trialling the move, after various other pilot schemes across the world.

According to the data from Opinium, shared exclusively with Metro.co.uk, almost six in ten adults (57%) support moving to a shorter working week, while only 21% of people oppose the move.

More than a third of both men and women (34%) strongly support the idea and although backing drops dramatically among the over 65s and in Conservative voters, both groups still come out in favour.

Very few people across various demographics strongly oppose the idea, which was a key part of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour manifesto in 2019, before his party were roundly defeated.

The polling, which asked 2,001 adults about the proposal on September 22 and 23, comes after the Scottish government announced that it would be pursuing a new policy of a four day week with no loss in pay.

People were largely supportive of the switch, according to Opinium


The Scottish National Party is also creating a £10 million fund to help companies that want to try out a shorter working week.

Previous polls have also shown similar levels of support among Brits for a trial of the scheme across the UK – suggesting backing for the policy remains relatively stable.

Researchers in Iceland branded a long-term trial in the country – which led to many Icelanders moving to shorter hours – an ‘overwhelming success’.

The study suggested productivity remained stable or increased, while employers did not lose money and wellbeing went up ‘dramatically’.

And following the Covid crisis, nearly a fifth of UK companies say they are now considering switching to a four-day week, one survey says.

Clive Lewis, a former Labour leadership candidate, said: ‘It’s no surprise that such large numbers of people support moving to a shorter working week, with evidence from across the world showing it can have a really positive impact on working people and the businesses they work for.’

The Norwich South MP added: ‘As we emerge from the pandemic we have a real chance to do things differently – and moving to a shorter working week, where people have more time to spend with family and friends, and where the balance between work and leisure is more balanced, would be a major step forwards.’

World leaders in countries like Finland and New Zealand have backed the idea, which experts believe would create more jobs.

But not everyone is sold, with some businesses not convinced that the move makes financial success.

A Government spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘There are no plans for the government to mandate a four-day working week, as the cost to the economy, businesses and jobs would be excessive.

‘However, we know how important flexible working arrangements are which is why only last week we announced a wide ranging package of measures to help give employees more flexible working options in the future.’

The new Government proposals are set to allow workers to ask their employers for flexible working from the first day in their new job.

But activists like Joe Ryle, the Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, want them to go further.

He said: ‘The four-day week with no loss of pay is good for workers, good for productivity and good for the environment.

‘Scotland and Ireland are going ahead with trials, Wales is considering the same and the time has come for Boris Johnson to give the go ahead to trials in England.

‘We invented the weekend a century ago and it’s time for an update. The 9-5, 5 day working week is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.’

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×