𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Public sector staff enjoying a four-day week on full five-day pay could be banned if the Tories return to power – so today readers are being asked: is that the right approach? The Conservatives have vowed to introduce the Ban Four Day Week and the Protection of Public Services Bill, which would halt the trend in councils, town halls and other state bodies.

Private firms would still be free to offer the perk if they choose to “pay over the odds”. 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 hours are reduced, is not value for money and does a disservice to hardworking families.”

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The move comes after South Cambridgeshire District Council made its four-day week permanent despite warnings from both Tory and Labour ministers. A whistleblower employee described the office as a “cold and isolating” environment, saying it felt like “one big empty shell” on non-working Mondays and Fridays. “You could hear a pin drop,” they wrote. “Working here is hard, isolating and, to be honest, depressing.”

The anonymous member of staff added that residents were right to be annoyed, with complaints of unanswered emails and delayed services in areas such as housing and planning. “I understand why residents are annoyed. Would you want to pay council tax, knowing your council is having a paid day off every week?”

Critics argue the policy delivers 100% pay for 80% of the hours, hitting service standards while council tax keeps rising. Supporters at the Lib Dem-run council claim better recruitment and retention.

Labour pointed out the trial began under the Tories and insisted ministers have already warned councils against it. The SNP, Greens and Plaid Cymru have shown support for shorter weeks in parts of the UK.