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That’s the message of The Case for a Four Day Week, published by Polity this month, and written by NEF’s Anna Coote, Aidan Harper and Alfie Stirling.

• We start with what people need, as opposed to what we want. But the case for UBS has a life of its own. Because we want to reclaim the collective ideal that was at the heart of the post-war settlement – now submerged and discredited by neoliberal politics.

  Few believe the economy will simply ​‘bounce back’ in 2021 and there’s no chance the effects of pandemic will vanish as swiftly as they appeared. Drawing on a wide range of experience across the world it provides, for the first time, a practical roadmap for moving from today’s standard workweek towards four days or 30 hours as the new norm.

  The idea of UBS emerged originally as a counterpoint to Universal Basic Income. Others may prefer more time off when becoming a parent, or perhaps an earlier but more gradual retirement. It is normative – arguing that this approach is best if we want to secure greater equality, efficiency, solidarity and sustainability. These are not nice-to-haves but necessities.

  

  Today’s ​‘normal’ is certainly in flux and the time is ripe for change.

  The UBS framework can be customised for meeting different needs, but with the same set of principles. Gaining more control over one’s time is just as important as cutting hours.

  This strategy is more than a temporary fix – it underpins a long-term transition to a fairer and more sustainable economy.

  There is evidence that when people put in fewer hours, the quality of their work improves, which can boost economic productivity and rates of pay.

  When people have more disposable time, they are also less likely to buy energy-intensive ​‘convenience’ goods such as processed ready meals, or to opt for faster and less sustainable modes of transport, such as a car instead of a bike, or a plane instead of a train.

  As the book demonstrates, this can happen now.

  Is there anything radical about any of this?

  Moving to shorter working time can build on the good news and help put an end to the bad.

  Changes happen gradually and unevenly, combining voluntary, negotiated and statutory initiatives.