A Conservative government would introduce legislation to prohibit council employees from working a four-day week while receiving full-time pay, according to Sir James Cleverly, who called the practice "an insult" to taxpayers. The announcement sets up a political battle over workplace flexibility in the public sector.
Sir James argued that those managing public funds have "an enhanced duty to ensure they're delivering value for money." He stated, "We are making it clear that this is something that is completely wrong. There is a push from the left of centre in British politics to move to this 'four-day week for five days' pay'—we think that's wrong, and in the public sector, it's definitely wrong."
The policy targets South Cambridgeshire District Council, which became the first local authority to permanently adopt a four-day work week in July 2025 after a successful trial beginning in 2023. Under the arrangement, staff work approximately 85% of their contracted hours without any reduction in pay.
Council data shows significant benefits from the policy:
- Staff turnover decreased by 41%, from 83 voluntary departures in 2022 to 49 in 2024
- Job applications increased by 123%, rising from an average of 4.7 per role in 2022 to 10.5 in the 2024-25 financial year
- The council saved £399,000 in agency worker fees
- Independent analysis found performance improved or remained stable in 21 out of 24 service areas
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey defended the council's approach, stating, "In South Cambridgeshire they are very short of people to do the work, and they have attracted people back to work into the council because of the actions they have taken." He acknowledged that four-day weeks might not work everywhere but added, "if it works in South Cambridgeshire—and it appears to do so—good luck on them and they can take that issue to the voters."
The Conservative group in South Cambridgeshire has proposed alternative budget measures that would scrap the four-day week policy, claiming it could save approximately £270,000 through increased staff capacity and potential headcount reductions. They also propose eliminating the purchase of two refuse collection vehicles for an additional £244,000 in savings.
Labour's Local Government Secretary Steve Reed previously wrote to council leaders in England urging them not to adopt four-day working, warning that the practice could be "considered an indicator... of potential failure." A spokesperson for his ministry noted that while local authorities are independent employers, the government "does not support" the policy and emphasized delivering "value for money for taxpayers."
The Green Party criticized the Conservative proposal, with deputy leader Rachel Millward calling it "cheap sloganeering from a failed, irrelevant Conservative Party" that "could in fact reduce the efficiency of councils." The party supports moving toward a four-day working week as official policy.
Reform UK, while not responding to direct inquiries, distributed campaign materials in South Cambridgeshire opposing the four-day week and advocating for "a council that delivers a quality service every day."