Minister Urges South Cambridgeshire Council to Halt Four-Day Week Trial Amid Concerns Over Value for Money

The Minister for Local Government has formally requested South Cambridgeshire District Council to immediately end its trial of a four-day week, citing concerns about "value for money" and potential breaches of legal duties. The council, led by the Liberal Democrats, is the first in the UK to experiment with this system, which was initially scheduled to run until 2024.

In a letter to council leader Bridget Smith, Minister Lee Rowley expressed reservations about the trial's impact on meeting the needs of local taxpayers, emphasizing the importance of reducing backlogs, addressing inquiries, and improving efficiency. He asserted that reducing up to 20% of the council's capacity to perform these activities was unacceptable for an organization expected to demonstrate value for money to its residents.

While acknowledging the importance of innovation in local government, Mr. Rowley argued that experimenting with reduced working hours should be confined to the private sector, as it could potentially violate the council's legal obligations under the Local Government Act. He announced that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities would soon issue clear guidance on the matter.

Responding to the minister's request, Council Leader Bridget Smith expressed surprise and requested a meeting with ministers to discuss the issue further. She defended the trial by citing strong evidence indicating that performance had been maintained or even improved during the first three months. Additionally, the trial had positively affected recruitment by attracting a higher quality and quantity of applicants, leading to successful filling of previously vacant positions. Smith highlighted the trial's financial benefits, with a significant reduction in the council's annual agency bill by £300,000 due to the hiring of permanent staff.

The request from the minister drew criticism from Joe Ryle, director of the 4-Day Week campaign group, who argued that the four-day week trial at the council had been a resounding success. Ryle emphasized that the private sector had already implemented the four-day week without pay cuts, and he urged the inclusion of the public sector in this progressive approach. He emphasized that the trial had brought numerous benefits to council workers, local residents, and cost savings for the council.

As the discussions unfold between the council and the government, the fate of the four-day week trial at South Cambridgeshire District Council hangs in the balance, with stakeholders on both sides highlighting their perspectives on the trial's impact and value to the community.