Council ordered to halt controversial four-day week 'immediately' as minister's loaded letter warns it could break law

1 July 2023, 08:26 | Updated: 1 July 2023, 08:28

Council ordered to halt controversial 4-day week 'immediately' as minister's loaded letter warns it could break law
Council ordered to halt controversial 4-day week 'immediately' as minister's loaded letter warns it could break law. Picture: LBC / Alamy / Gov

By Danielle DeWolfe

A council has been ordered to halt its use of a four-day working week 'immediately' after the year-long trial was criticised by government ministers who warned it could be breaking the law.

South Cambridgeshire District Council, which is a Lib Dem held seat, received the letter calling for an immediate halt to the controversial trial over concerns it did not offer taxpayers and residents value for money.

The trial, which sees a five-day working week reduced to four days with no loss of pay, was predicted to save the council £300,000 a year as a result of not needing to hire additional agency staff.

However, despite being hailed a success, the scheme saw longer waiting times for calls to be answered and the processing of benefit claims.

Among other reductions, the scheme is said to have seen some 131,000 households across South Cambridgeshire left without bin collections on Mondays as part of the trial.

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

Penned my local government minister Mr Rowley, the North East Derbyshire MP's letter criticises the scheme and the benefits it poses to the public.
Penned my local government minister Mr Rowley, the North East Derbyshire MP's letter criticises the scheme and the benefits it poses to the public. Picture: LBC / Gov

Penned my local government minister Mr Rowley, the North East Derbyshire MP's letter criticises the scheme and the benefits it poses to the public.

It's claimed the four-day week may also see the council breach its legal duties, as such working arrangement could impact the 'duty of best value' required under the Local Government Act 1999 according to Mr Rowley.

He also revealed that guidance is set to be issued to all English councils warning them against the implementation of the 4-day working week.

The letter, sent by My Rowley to Lib Dem councillor Bridget Smith, said: "I am writing to express my concerns regarding the extension of South Cambridgeshire's four-day working week trial until the end of March 2024 and to request formally that you end this experiment immediately.

Read more: Brits brace for blustery start to July as 50mph winds set to hit ahead of 40C heatwave

Read more: Teenage boy arrested after serious sexual assaults in 'gender neutral toilet' at school

"As I am sure you are aware, all councils are expected to ensure that finite and valuable taxpayers' money is used in a way which demonstrates value for money – something which paying employees for an extra day of work that is not carried out is unlikely to demonstrate.

"I strongly believe in the ability of councils to innovate and find new ways to discharge their responsibilities – yet removing up to 20 per cent of the capacity to do those activities is not something which should be acceptable for a council seeking to demonstrate value for money for its taxpayers and residents."

The scheme began in the South Cambridgeshire district on a three-month trial basis in January for 450 desk-based staff and was extended for another 12 months due to its success, expanding to cover bin men and cleaners.
The scheme began in the South Cambridgeshire district on a three-month trial basis in January for 450 desk-based staff and was extended for another 12 months due to its success, expanding to cover bin men and cleaners. Picture: LBC / Alamy

He went on to acknowledged that private sector organisations were free to trial the experiment, however, he pointed out that local government should not follow suit.

The scheme began in the South Cambridgeshire district on a three-month trial basis in January for 450 desk-based staff and was extended for another 12 months due to its success, expanding to cover bin men and cleaners.

The council claims early results showed that services were not affected while staff were happier.

However, in May, South Cambridgeshire council boss Liz Watts was revealed to be working on a PhD thesis about four day working weeks, raising alarm bells of a possible conflict of interests.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kate Mulcahy, 37, was found dead after a fierce blaze broke out at the home in Greater Manchester

Mother of four, 37, killed in fire at £1.2m home as her four young children 'manage to escape'

A key vote on assisted dying will take place at the end of the month.

'There are different views and opinions': MP behind assisted dying bill reveals cabinet split ahead of key vote

The Queen at her first public engagement since falling ill with a chest infection.

Queen Camilla seen for the first time after missing Remembrance Sunday service due to chest infection

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Why has Justin Welby resigned and what happens next to the Church? All your questions answered

The trio of brazen shoplifters has been jailed

Shameless shoplifters jailed for stealing £200,000 of goods in 120 offences after being caught on CCTV

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

'Knifeman' arrested by armed police after reports of man 'carrying knives' outside Parliament

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury in the wake of abuse scandal

Read in full: Justin Welby's letter resigning as Archbishop of Canterbury

Curtis Green

Father-to-be shot dead after south London party named and pictured for first time as family pay tribute

Nottingham Panthers forward Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury in October 2023

Police issue update on man arrested over manslaughter of ice hockey player Adam Johnson

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following damning report into Church abuse scandal

The husband of Erin Jayne Plummer has reportedly died in a suspected self-harm incident

Husband of Australian TV star dies suddenly two years after her suicide leaving three kids orphaned

Sue Gray

Sue Gray rejects Keir Starmer's job offer after being removed as chief of staff

Malin Andersson was caught in a horror motorway incident

Love Island star Malin Andersson 'seconds from death' after £100k BMW 'blew up and caught fire'

File photo of congestion on the M5

Teen girl killed in M5 crash fled police car onto motorway before being hit by oncoming traffic

Church abuse victims were treated 'very very badly' Keir Starmer has said, as calls grow for Justin Welby to resign

Starmer says Church abuse scandal victims were 'failed very, very badly' as calls grow for Archbishop to quit

Keir Starmer gives a press conference at Cop29

Starmer unveils new target to slash UK emissions - but insists he 'won't tell Brits how to live their lives'