The French work fewer hours, take longer holidays and retire earlier than UK employees, but they are also more productive and their economy is therefore roughly the same size as ours. How do they do it?
As the UK looks for a way out of its sluggish economic growth, Evan Davis asks what we can learn from our neighbours. Why is it that for each hour worked a French employee produces almost 20 per cent more than a British one?
GUESTS
Olivier Morel, board member of the French Chamber of Great Britain and partner at Cripps.
Rebecca Riley, professor of practice in economics at King’s Business School, London, and member of The Productivity Institute.
and
Neil Coales, managing director of Agilité Solutions, Paris.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producers: Simon Tulett and Julie Ball Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: China Collins Sound: Rod Farquhar and Graham Puddifoot Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed