Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Government crackdown on four-day week

The Government is exploring measures to ‘ensure the sector is clear’ four-day weeks should not be pursued.

The Government is exploring measures to ‘ensure the sector is clear' four-day weeks should not be pursued.

Non-statutory guidance issued for English councils published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) reinforced that the Government does not support local authorities pursuing four-day working weeks and does not believe the practice delivers taxpayers' value for money.

DLUHC said if councils disregarded its advice and there was evidence of ‘service decline or failure' the Government may ‘raise concerns directly with the authority, monitor performance more closely and consider options to correct declining performance'.

The guidance added the Government did not support ‘trials, experimentation or pilots' of the shortened week within local government and any councils that currently employ a four-day week ‘should cease immediately'.

Chair of the Local Government Association's resources board, Pete Marland, said: ‘It is councils that know what works best for their community, workforce and in their wider labour market conditions.

‘They should be free to pilot innovative solutions to address local challenges and deliver crucial services to their residents.

‘Voters should be the ones making a judgement on whether council leaders have made good choices and delivered value for taxpayers.'

Opinion: Not for turning on the four-day week

HUMAN RESOURCES

Local growth plans must show benefit to communities

By Joe Lepper | 08 September 2025

Experts have urged strategic authorities (SA) to ensure their blueprints for local growth ‘do more than pursue economic indicators’.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Reform council leaders set out 'clean up' achievements

By Ann McGauran | 06 September 2025

The leaders of four Reform UK controlled county councils took to the platform at their national party conference to set out steps they have taken to uncover ...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Flagging up a problem

By Kathy O'Leary | 05 September 2025

Kathy O' Leary says that while the legal guidance stresses that flags are a very British way of expressing joy, symbolising national unity and championing ci...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Inclusive leadership for a resilient tomorrow

By Dawn Faulkner | 04 September 2025

Dawn Faulkner says it’s time to celebrate the contributions of women in the public sector landscape and that the stories we tell will help shape the leaders ...

Popular articles by Ellie Ames