Councils will be prohibited from permitting staff to work four-day weeks on full pay if the Tories win the next election.
Sir James Cleverly, the shadow communities secretary, stated he would introduce legislation to stop all public services, including local authorities, from paying staff a full week’s wages for four days’ work because “taxpayers should not be paying full rates for part-time services.”
More than 20 councils have discussed a four-day week policy, and one, Liberal Democrat-run South Cambridgeshire, has already adopted this pattern.
In December, Steve Reed, the Communities Secretary, wrote to town halls warning them that the Government might intervene if they implemented a four-day week for full-time staff.
However, Sir James said this approach was insufficient, and the practice needed to be banned altogether.
Rishi Sunak must be a leader, not just a manager
“A four-day working week, where pay is maintained but hours are reduced, is not value for money and does a disservice to hard-working families just trying to get by,” he added.
“The Conservatives will end this nonsense and have a clear plan to ensure that taxpayers get the services they pay for [and] deliver a stronger economy.”
Sir James said the Tories would introduce a bill to set work conditions for public sector workers and prevent four-day weeks for full-time pay.
Critics claim that four-day weeks decrease productivity and hinder economic growth, although supporters argue that they can make workers more efficient.
Adopted by Lib Dem council
South Cambridgeshire Council adopted a permanent four-day-week policy last year, and staff who accept the offer are expected to complete 100 percent of their work in 80 percent of their contracted hours, with no pay cut.
Bridget Smith, the authority’s Liberal Democrat leader, has claimed the council is “exceptionally high-performing” and that the four-day week has helped save around £400,000 in annual costs.
Council officials have also pointed to academic research that they said showed a four-day week trial had been successful.
In his letter to town halls, Mr. Reed said staff doing part-time work on full-time pay could be “considered an indicator, among a wide range of factors, of potential failure” at a local authority.
Rishi Sunak vows the 'fightback starts here' despite Labour's massive poll lead
This would allow the Government to step in, manage these councils, and return to a five-day week.
On Tuesday, Ms. Smith said: “Yet again, we witness the political gymnastics of this outdated and out-of-touch Conservative Party descending into a collective swoon over the terrifying prospect of a council functioning better while saving the taxpayer money.
“To call for a ban on a proven success is to effectively declare that the Tory Party prefers its local government to be traditional, expensive, and perpetually understaffed, rather than modern and, heaven forbid, effective.”
Last year, The Telegraph revealed that 25 councils were in discussions with the Four Day Week Foundation to explore implementing the program. These included Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Fermanagh and Omagh.
Plaid Cymru aims to introduce four-day weeks across Wales if it wins the May elections to the Senedd.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “It’s a total embarrassment for the Tories to be, yet again, railing against things that happened on their own watch, and which they took zero action on.
“This Government has already told town halls not to pay five-day salaries for four days’ work. While the Conservatives chase headlines, Labour is focused on easing the cost of living and investing in communities.”
Deputy Editor & UK News
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
