Ann McGauran 15 May 2023

MP hits out at council's proposals to extend four-day trial

MP hits out at councils proposals to extend four-day trial image
Image: Sinseeho / Shutterstock.com.

A Conservative MP today hit out at proposals by a district council to approve an extension to a four-day working week after a trial found improvements to staff productivity and wellbeing.

Liberal Democrat-run South Cambridgeshire DC’s cabinet is expected to give the go-ahead to the trial extension when it meets today. But the local MP Anthony Browne warned of the risk of ‘a new left-wing horror show that could sweep the country’.

During the trial staff worked a 30-hour week on the same full-time pay. A report on the impact of the trial said that despite its benefits, performance measures were still lower than before Covid.

Writing in conservativehome, the MP said: ‘What starts in South Cambridgeshire could easily spread nationwide.’ He said that Cambridge City Council had many shared services with South Cambridgeshire, and it was ‘difficult to see their officers happy to work five days while colleagues work five days on the same pay’.

To continue reading visit The MJ (£).

For more on this topic check out our feature, 'Who's afraid of the four-day week?'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Virtual School Inclusion Support OfficerPermanent, Term Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Business Development Officer

Essex County Council
£36341.0000 - £42754.0000 per annum
Senior Business Development Officer - Integrated Passenger Transport UnitFixed Term, Full Time£36,341 to £42,754 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview dates
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner