New study reveals discovery of UK’s ‘laziest’ city, where residents ‘work the least’ | United Kingdom | News

A recent study revealed that it is the ‘laziest’ region in the UK, with residents reportedly working the fewest hours per week.

The research, conducted by Journo Research in collaboration with Global Plus500 fintech groupanalysed data from the Office for National Statistics to uncover trends in working hours across the country.

Merthyr Tydfil, a town in South Wales, came bottom of the list.

Employees in the region work an average of just 36.7 paid hours per week.

This figure is significantly lower than the national average and significantly lower than in the UK’s busiest regions, such as Mid Suffolk, where employees work an average of 41.8 hours a week.

The city, historically known for its industrial roots in coal mining and iron production, has seen significant economic changes over the years.

The decline of traditional industries has left Merthyr Tydfil struggling with higher unemployment rates and a shift towards part-time and lower-paid jobs, which may contribute to the reduction in working hours observed in the study.

In contrast, the highest-ranking areas, including Mid Suffolk, Fenland and South Holland, have average working hours well above 40 hours per week.

Local authorities in Merthyr Tydfil and similar areas are focusing on revitalising the local economy through various initiatives.

These include attracting new businesses, investing in education and skills training, and improving infrastructure to create more full-time employment opportunities.

Merthyr Tydfil Council has launched a number of programmes to boost employment, including partnerships with local colleges to provide vocational training and apprenticeships in emerging industries.

The hope is that these efforts will gradually increase average working hours in the region, helping to close the gap with more economically dynamic regions.