Lib Dem council’s four-day week scheme a car crash, say Tories

THE first British council to test a fourday week is failing to prove its scheme is working, the Government has said.

Liberal Democrat-run South Cambridgeshire District Council launched the scheme last year, giving staff a shorter week on full pay. But critics have described the trial as a “car crash”, with call wait times rising and staff reporting higher stress levels since it was introduced last June.

The council has faced calls to scrap the “ridiculous” policy amid fears taxpayers are not receiving value for money, but leaders have ploughed on regardless. This is despite its own analysis finding that some services deteriorated in the trial’s first three months, with average call centre times rising by 14.5pc and only four of 12 key performance indicators on target.

The Government has kept a watchful eye on the authority’s four-day policy since its introduction in 2023, with Lee Rowley, the housing minister, ordering an immediate stop in June. But the council has continued to press ahead, stressing that workers are more motivated and productivity is higher.

However, the Government is concerned about the council’s compliance, and has reissued a “Best Value Notice”, demanding to receive weekly reports for a further six months to “allow for further data analysis”. A Best Value Notice is issued when the Government fears taxpayer funds are not being used to their full potential.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the local authority “is not yet fully analysing the long-term impacts” of its policy.

Heather Williams, leader of the local

Conservative opposition, says the continued intervention proves that the four-day week is not working.

“It feels like a car crash, and it feels like it’s going to implode,” she said.

Bridget Smith, the council leader, said. “The four-day week is having a positive impact on many parts of the council, and [the services] we provide.”