The local government secretary, Steve Reed, is seeking to clamp down on councils introducing four-day working weeks after writing to South Cambridgeshire warning that the policy has damaged performance.
Reed told the council, which is the only local authority to formally trial a four-day week for staff, that the move risked worsening public services and value for money.
His letter, first seen by the Telegraph, marks the first intervention by the Labour government on shortened working weeks in local government in England.
Reed wrote to Bridget Smith, the council’s Liberal Democrat leader, noting there had been a deterioration in rent collection and repairs by the council.
“The independent report shows that performance declined in key housing-related services including rent collection, reletting times and tenant satisfaction with repairs, especially where vulnerable residents may be affected,” he wrote.
“If social housing is being built by this government and your team are unable to move residents into them so that they are standing empty then I must reiterate my deep disappointment with your conduct.”
Reed also said it was not in line with government policy for the council to offer 100% pay for 80% of the workload. “I am therefore seeking assurance about the arrangements your council has in place to consider the impacts of your policy and that value for money for residents is being delivered,” he wrote.
“In particular, I would like to understand how the council is seeking to mitigate the impact to those services which have worsened over the course of the four-day working week trial. I would like you to meet with my officials in the coming weeks to provide that assurance.”
Despite Reed’s tough-sounding letter, the government has no legal power to force the council to end the policy. Decisions on working patterns lie with local authorities, meaning ministers can apply pressure but not impose a ban.
The Guardian understands that ministers reiterated guidance to local authorities discouraging four-day working weeks, warning they risked undermining service delivery and value for money.
