UK Government Opposes Four-Day Working Week Trials in Local Councils, Threatens Sanctions

Government cites lack of "value for money" for taxpayers as reason for opposition, hinting at financial penalties for non-compliance; councils argue the shorter work week has improved performance and staff retention.

• The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC), led by Michael Gove, has issued guidance opposing the implementation of a four-day working week by UK local councils, citing concerns about value for taxpayers' money.
• Local councils that disregard the warning may face financial sanctions, potentially including the withholding of central government funds. However, the warning is non-statutory and holds no legal force.
• South Cambridgeshire district council, which launched a four-day working week trial in January, argued that the trial improved performance and staff retention, citing reductions in staff turnover, staff sickness, and service complaints.
• Despite the government's guidance, the four-day working week trial in South Cambridgeshire is set to continue until March 2024, with the belief that the practice helped fill job vacancies and save money.
• Government criticism of shorter working weeks has been met with dissent from groups like the 4 Day Week Campaign, defending the idea of a four-day working week as potential boost to the job market and advocating for the adoption of more flexible working hours.

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