Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told

"The provision the current guidance makes in relation to the four-day week remains in force I take this issue very seriously, in particular that council staff undertaking part-time work for full-time pay without compelling justification' would be considered an indicator, among a wide range of factors, of potential failure. I hope that makes my position on this matter and the government's policy unambiguously clear to all councils. We will set out further detail in due course in the new best value guidance."

"The secretary for local government has written to all councils to warn that adopting a four-day week for staff puts them at risk of being declared a failing authority, according to reports. Twenty-five councils have discussed a four-day week policy and one, South Cambridgeshire district council, has already moved to the pattern. While councils are free to set their own policies, the government has the power to take control if an authority is deemed to be failing."

The secretary for local government warned councils that adopting a four-day week for staff could put them at risk of being declared a failing authority. Twenty-five councils have discussed the policy and South Cambridgeshire district council has already moved to the pattern. The government retains powers to intervene and take control of an authority judged to be failing under best value rules. Steve Reed stated that council staff undertaking part-time work for full-time pay without compelling justification would be considered an indicator among a wide range of factors of potential failure. Best value guidance is being updated and further detail will follow.

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