The Government has issued guidance for English councils on four-day weeks and said it is exploring other measures ‘to ensure the sector is clear’ that the practice should not be pursued.

The non-statutory guidance published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) reinforces that the Government does not support local authorities pursuing four-day working weeks and does not believe the practice delivers taxpayers’ value for money.

The DLUHC said: ‘Central government recognises that local authorities are independent employers and individually responsible for setting terms and conditions of employment for their staff.’

But the department said if councils disregard its advice and there is evidence of ‘service decline or failure’, the Government may ‘raise concerns directly with the authority, monitor performance more closely and consider options to correct declining performance’.

The guidance adds that the Government does not support ‘trials, experimentation, or pilots’ of the shortened week within local government and any councils that currently employ a four-day week ‘should cease immediately’.

It states: ‘The department is also exploring other measures to ensure that the sector is clear that this working practice should not be pursued.’

Chair of the Local Government Association’s resources board, Pete Marland, said: ‘It is councils who know what works best for their community, workforce and in their wider labour market conditions.

‘They should be free to pilot innovative solutions to address local challenges and deliver crucial services to their residents.

‘Local voters should be the ones making a judgement on whether local council leaders have made good choices and delivered value for local taxpayers.’