Reducing work hours can be a sign of success - Richard Murphy

10th January 2026

A growing number of high-paid professionals in the UK are choosing to work fewer hours. Some commentators claim this signals economic weakness, declining productivity, or the consequence of bad tax policy. This video explains why that interpretation is wrong.

When people reach a point of sufficiency, working fewer hours can improve health, well-being, productivity per hour, and the transition into retirement. It can also open opportunities for younger workers, improve skills transfer, and reduce burnout across the economy.

This is not a withdrawal from work. It is a rational response to the scarcity of time, and not money, and it challenges outdated ideas about growth, productivity, and success.

00:00 Why top earners are working less
01:15 It's not tax - it’s choice
02:30 When "enough" becomes enough
03:45 Time, health and what really matters
05:05 Making space for younger workers
06:20 Productivity, burnout and mental health
07:35 From overwork to meaningful work
08:50 What this means for growth and politics
09:40 A mature economy and phased retirement

TRANSCRIPT
A transcript for this video is available at: https://www.taxresearch.org.uk