Tories vow to cease public sector employees having fun with four-day working week for 5 days’ pay if they’re re-elected
Public sector staff including town hall officials would be banned from enjoying a four-day week on full pay under a future Tory government.
The Conservative Party has vowed that if returned to power it would introduce a law to end the growing trend of employees in taxpayer-funded organisations getting an extra day off each week with no loss of pay.
Its proposed Ban Four Day Week and the Protection of Public Services Bill would set work conditions for the state sector although private businesses would be allowed to ‘pay over the odds if they want to’.
Shadow Local Government Secretary Sir James Cleverly said: ‘Taxpayers should not be paying full rates for part-time services.
‘A four-day working week, where pay is maintained but and hours are reduced, is not value for money and does disservice to hardworking families just trying to get by.
‘The Conservatives will end this nonsense, and have a clear plan to ensure that taxpayers get the services they pay for – to deliver stronger economy, ensuring that taxpayers get the service they pay for.’
South Cambridgeshire District Council became the first local authority in England to pilot a four-day week in 2023, making the policy permanent last year despite both Labour ministers and their Tory predecessors demanding an end to it.
The Lib Dem-run town hall claims improved staff recruitment and retention has saved money on agency workers, but critics say that local residents have suffered worse services in key areas such as housing.
Shadow Local Government Secretary Sir James Cleverly said: ‘Taxpayers should not be paying full rates for part-time services’
The headquarters of South Cambridgeshire District Council, where staff enjoy a four-day week
One whistleblowing employee even admitted they were ‘ashamed’ of having an extra day off and claimed ‘you could hear a pin drop’ in the council’s HQ on Mondays and Fridays when workers get what is now known as a ‘scheduled rest day’.
Staff shared with neighbouring Labour-run Cambridge City Council now also get a four-day week while dozens of other town halls are believed to be considering similar moves.
A year-long pilot in two Scottish government agencies found improvements in productivity and staff wellbeing, but SNP ministers ruled out a permanent move to a 32-hour week.
The Green Party also supports ‘a move to a four-day working week’ and Plaid Cymru could launch a pilot in Wales if it wins control of the Senedd next month.
However Labour pointed out that South Cambridgeshire started its shift to the four-day week under the Tories, and that current Communities Secretary Steve Reed has warned councils against the move.
A Labour Party spokesman said: ‘It’s a total embarrassment for the Tories to be, yet again, railing against things that happened on their own watch and which they took zero action on.
‘This government has already told town halls not to pay five-day salaries for four days work.’
