7. Plaid Cymru Debate: A four-day working week

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:57 pm on 22 September 2021.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 4:57, 22 September 2021

Llywydd, I am happy to support the Welsh Government's amendments, if they do feel they need time to capture evidence and look at trials before acting, because we must get this right. But I will say to the Government: in supporting your route to this rather than straight towards a trial, I would expect real commitment to taking this forward, and for the civil service to swiftly swing into action and get this travelling at a pace where we can see real change happen.

Llywydd, over 18 months ago now, I wrote an article for LabourList, which I know my colleagues have read thoroughly during their summer holidays. I suggested three topics and ideas that I thought represented the sort of bold changes we need to consider here in Wales. And colleagues will know that they are universal basic income pilots, a green new deal for manufacturing and looking at a four-day working week. Now, these ideas don't work alone, but they do certainly complement each other. And I'm happy to say these are not my ideas, but I am really pleased that parties from across the Senedd are looking at them positively.

We must recognise, Llywydd, that the settlement in the UK is unacceptable. The stresses and strains on working people have increased and wages have remained almost stagnant. A four-day week presents people with a better work-life balance, it allows them quality time to themselves, time to volunteer, time to learn, time to allow them to make the choices they deserve. It also helps address the stress epidemic and the huge levels of anxiety that modern life brings. And, crucially, the evidence suggests that it helps with productivity. The reality for those who oppose a four-day week—and they need to accept this reality—is that we do work very long hours in this country, and productivity is lower than in many similar countries.

Now, as I've mentioned, I am an engineer and I feel I do have an understanding of what the future of technology holds. Automation is happening, and it can either displace workers or it can make their lives easier and companies more productive. Put simply, Llywydd, we should all share in the benefits of automation and we should all enjoy an improved work-life balance. [Interruption.] I'd be delighted, James.