The Three-Day Week was one of several measures introduced in the United Kingdom in 1973–1974 by Edward Heath's Conservative government to conserve electricity, the generation of which was severely restricted owing to industrial action by coal miners and railway workers.
From 1 January 1974, commercial users of electricity were limited to three specified consecutive days' consumption each week and prohibited from working longer hours on those days. Services deemed essential (e.g. hospitals, data centres, supermarkets and newspaper printing presses) were exempt.[1] Television companies were required to cease broadcasting at 22:30 to conserve electricity,[2][3] although this restriction was dropped after a general election was called. The Three-Day Week restrictions were lifted on 7 March 1974.
The measure was a major disaster for the Heath government, contributing to the losses in both the February election and the subsequent October election. Following the losses Margaret Thatcher challenged Heath to a leadership contest and subsequently won.
In the 21st century, those such as Anna Coote, the head of social policy at the New Economics Foundation and British sociologist Peter Fleming, among others, have proposed the re-introduction of a three-day work week. The arguments for its re-introduction include a better work-life balance, more family time, improved health and well-being, greater sustainability (such as via reduced carbon emissions), increased work productivity, and a reduction of overwork, unemployment and over-consumption.[4][5][6]
- ^ "British Economics and Trade Union politics 1973–1974". The National Archives (UK Government records).
- ^ "The UK in the 1970s". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
- ^ "Transcription of Radio Times TV listing for 7 January 1974". The TV Room Plus. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
- ^ Schachter, Harvey (10 February 2012). "Save the world with a 3-day work week". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Hart, Anna (30 August 2016). "Why we should all be working a 3-day week (and why it's good for business too)". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Veal, Anthony (24 December 2018). "It's time to put the 15-hour work week back on the agenda". The Conversation. Retrieved 13 December 2023.