• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
  • Login
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
No Result
View All Result

Labour Drops Opposition to Four-Day Work Week

Lawrence Ankutseby Lawrence Ankutse
November 10, 2024
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Lawrence Ankutseby Lawrence Ankutse
in UK
0
Labour Members Push Starmer To Tax Wealthy

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner

The UK government has withdrawn its formal objection to South Cambridgeshire District Council’s implementation of a four-day work week, which could set a precedent for other councils to follow. 

The local government secretary, Angela Rayner, criticized the previous Conservative administration for “micromanaging” local policies, marking a departure from the previous stance that had raised concerns over the potential impact on service delivery.

The council introduced the four-day working arrangement in 2023 and continued beyond its trial period in March 2024 as it awaited a response from ministers. While the government has clarified that it does not officially support a four-day workweek nationwide, it has now acknowledged the autonomy of local councils in managing their workforce structures.

RelatedPosts

UK Criticised Over Delayed Decision On China’s Mega Embassy

Decision On China Mega Embassy Site In London Postponed Again

UK Set To Be This Year’s Second-Fastest-Growing G7 Economy

Council Gains Independence

In a letter sent to South Cambridgeshire District Council, the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government stated: “Although it is not government policy to support a general move to a four-day working week for five days’ worth of pay, we recognize that local authorities are independent employers who are rightly responsible for the management and organization of their own workforces.” 

The letter emphasized the importance of ongoing communication with staff and trade unions over any adjustments to working patterns and stated that local voters should assess the effectiveness of council services.

This marked a significant shift from the approach of Conservative ministers, who had repeatedly issued Best Value Notices to the council in 2023 and 2024. These notices highlighted concerns that reduced working hours could hinder the council’s capacity to fulfill its obligations and continuously improve services. 

ADVERTISEMENT

However, a recent communication from the ministry confirmed that such notices would no longer be reissued.

Positive Results Amid Ongoing Discussions

Councillor Bridget Smith, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision. She revealed that the council had submitted “around 200 pieces of raw data to the government every single week” in response to the initial notices but received no feedback.

“The results from our four-day week trial painted a really positive picture, with many of our services improving. This was along with the hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayer money we saved, improved recruitment and retention plus incredibly significant positives around health and wellbeing.”

Bridget Smith
Bridget Smith
Bridget Smith

Under the council’s arrangement, staff are expected to complete their full workload within approximately 80% of their contracted hours, while still receiving full pay. The authority confirmed that public-facing services maintained their standard operating hours.

Although Labour has not formally backed the idea of a four-day work week as a nationwide policy, Angela Rayner recently told the Commons that the concept posed “no threat to the economy.” This statement aligns with the broader Labour commitment to enhance workers’ rights through flexible work policies.

Wider Implications for Other Sectors

This development comes as Transport for London (TfL) is reportedly exploring changes to working patterns for its Tube drivers. According to sources, TfL is set to present an initial proposal in January for an average four-day working week. 

However, it has assured stakeholders that there would be no reduction in contractual hours. A spokesperson for TfL confirmed: “As with any proposal, there are still details that need to be worked through and any changes would need to be mutually beneficial, preserving or improving the reliability of our service for our customers and improving efficiency.”

The government, meanwhile, reiterated its stance through a spokesperson: “We are committed to strengthening workers’ rights, and our landmark Employment Rights Bill will make flexible working the default. A four-day work week for five days’ pay is not government policy or something we are considering.”

The shift in policy from outright opposition to recognition of local autonomy represents a step towards greater flexibility in work structures. Whether other councils and sectors will follow South Cambridgeshire’s lead remains to be seen.

READ ALSO: Prof. Asare Praises Eighth Parliament’s Resilience, Calls for Unity

Tags: Employment RightsFlexible workingfour-day weekLocal governmentUK policy
Please login to join discussion
Previous Post

MTN MoMo Marks 15 Years of Excellence with Grand Awards Ceremony for Partners

Next Post

Sammy Gyamfi Describes Afenyo- Markin as a Failed Leader

Subscription Form

Related Posts

China Suspends Arms Control Talks With U.S
UK

UK Criticised Over Delayed Decision On China’s Mega Embassy

October 17, 2025
China purchased the site of the proposed new embassy, at Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, for £255m in 2018.
UK

Decision On China Mega Embassy Site In London Postponed Again

October 16, 2025
Pakistan, IMF Reach $3 Billion Bailout Agreement
UK

UK Set To Be This Year’s Second-Fastest-Growing G7 Economy

October 14, 2025
Tories To Abolish Stamp Duty
UK

Tories To Abolish Stamp Duty

October 8, 2025
EU Launches Preparedness Union Strategy
UK

EU New Imports Quota Plan Poses Threat To UK Steel Industry

October 7, 2025
Trott Calls For Zero Tolerance Approach To Knife Crime In Schools
UK

Trott Calls For Zero Tolerance Approach To Knife Crime In Schools

October 7, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama , inspecting work on the rehabilitation of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital into a Teching Hospital
Uncategorized

Mahama Inspects Effia-Nkwanta and Western Regional Hospitals, Assures of Timely Completion

by evansjrOctober 21, 2025
Vance Projects Optimism About Gaza Ceasefire
Asia

Vance Projects Optimism About Gaza Ceasefire

by Comfort AmpomaaOctober 21, 2025
MobileMoney LTD Leads a Collaborative Effort Among Fintech Ecosystem Players to Harness Digital Credit and Asset Regulation
Vaultz Business

MobileMoney LTD Leads a Collaborative Effort Among Fintech Ecosystem Players to Harness Digital Credit and Asset Regulation

by M.COctober 21, 2025
Former Lands Minister Criticizes Government’s Approach to Curbing Illegal Mining
General News

AG, OSP Must Work in Harmony to Ensure Justice — Inusah Fuseini

by evansjrOctober 21, 2025
Trump Rebuffs Putin’s Offer To Aid Israel-Iran Conflict Mediation
Europe

European Leaders Support Trump’s Call For Ukraine Peace Talks

by Comfort AmpomaaOctober 21, 2025
President Mahama Defended in CJ’s Petition
General News

Deputy Communication Minister Warns of Fake Accounts Fueling Bawku Violence, Rejects State of Emergency

by Silas Kafui AssemOctober 21, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama , inspecting work on the rehabilitation of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital into a Teching Hospital
Vance Projects Optimism About Gaza Ceasefire
MobileMoney LTD Leads a Collaborative Effort Among Fintech Ecosystem Players to Harness Digital Credit and Asset Regulation
Former Lands Minister Criticizes Government’s Approach to Curbing Illegal Mining
Trump Rebuffs Putin’s Offer To Aid Israel-Iran Conflict Mediation
President Mahama Defended in CJ’s Petition

Recent News

President John Dramani Mahama , inspecting work on the rehabilitation of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital into a Teching Hospital

Mahama Inspects Effia-Nkwanta and Western Regional Hospitals, Assures of Timely Completion

October 21, 2025
Vance Projects Optimism About Gaza Ceasefire

Vance Projects Optimism About Gaza Ceasefire

October 21, 2025
MobileMoney LTD Leads a Collaborative Effort Among Fintech Ecosystem Players to Harness Digital Credit and Asset Regulation

MobileMoney LTD Leads a Collaborative Effort Among Fintech Ecosystem Players to Harness Digital Credit and Asset Regulation

October 21, 2025
Former Lands Minister Criticizes Government’s Approach to Curbing Illegal Mining

AG, OSP Must Work in Harmony to Ensure Justice — Inusah Fuseini

October 21, 2025
Trump Rebuffs Putin’s Offer To Aid Israel-Iran Conflict Mediation

European Leaders Support Trump’s Call For Ukraine Peace Talks

October 21, 2025
President Mahama Defended in CJ’s Petition

Deputy Communication Minister Warns of Fake Accounts Fueling Bawku Violence, Rejects State of Emergency

October 21, 2025
The Vaultz News

Copyright © 2025 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2D
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships

Copyright © 2025 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.

Discover the Details behind the story

Get an in-depth analysis of the news from our top editors

Enter your email address