The New Politics of Time

A new report from nef (the new economics foundation), 21 hours, proposes a much shorter ‘normal’ working week to address a range of urgent, interlinked problems: overwork, unemployment, over-consumption, high carbon emissions, low well-being, entrenched inequalities, and the lack of time to live sustainably, to care for each other, and simply to enjoy life. Join us for a special discussion of the report's findings at the House of Commons.

Speakers include:

Professor Tim Jackson, University of Surrey and author of Prosperity without Growth

Andrew Simms, Policy Director, nef (the new economics foundation)

Heather Wakefield, National Secretary for Local Government, Unison

Katherine Rake, Chief Executive, Family and Parenting Institute

Chaired by David Lammy MP, Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Moving towards much shorter hours of paid work offers a new route out of the multiple crises we face today. Many of us are consuming well beyond our economic means and well beyond the limits of the natural environment, yet in ways that fail to improve our well-being – and meanwhile many others suffer unemployment and poverty. Continuing economic growth in high-income countries will make it impossible to achieve urgent carbon reduction targets.

There is nothing natural or inevitable about what’s considered ‘normal’ working practice today. It’s a legacy of industrial capitalism. Yet the logic of industrial time is out of step with today’s conditions, where instant communications and mobile technologies bring new risks and pressures, as well as opportunities. The challenge is to break the power of the old industrial clock and change the way we use and value paid and unpaid time.  But if less time in paid employment means less income, what can be done to ensure that everyone has a fair living income?

Please leave 20-30 minutes to pass through security at the Houses of Parliament. Enter by St. Stephen's Entrance.