Overview

• Nearly 1.4 million people reported working full-time on four days between October and December 2024, up by more than 100,000 from the same period in 2019, according to the ONS.
• The share of workers reporting a four-day schedule rose to 10.9% from 9.8% in late 2019, representing about 2.7 million people across full- and part-time roles.
• The ONS data does not indicate whether shorter weeks involved compressed hours or reduced pay, limiting conclusions about productivity and compensation.
• South Cambridgeshire District Council made its four-day week permanent after a 27‑month trial, reporting faster service delivery, improved recruitment and retention, and about £400,000 in annual savings.
• The Labour government withdrew previous guidance discouraging council trials, the Scottish public‑sector pilot is due to publish results, and the 4 Day Week Foundation reports more than 420 adopting companies employing over 12,000 workers.