Leaked extracts of a letter from Communities Secretary Steve Reed – first revealed by The Daily Telegraph – have reignited the debate over South Cambridgeshire District Council’s controversial four-day working week.
In the letter, Mr Reed expressed his “deep disappointment” to council leader Bridget Smith after an independent study reportedly found a decline in key housing-related services since the trial began.
The study suggested performance in rent collection, re-letting times and tenant satisfaction with repairs had worsened, “especially where vulnerable residents may be affected.”
South Cambridgeshire became the first local authority in the country to trial a four-day week in early 2023, allowing staff to work 80 per cent of their contracted hours for full pay.
The scheme was later expanded to include bin collectors and cleaners. The council argues the policy has saved nearly £400,000 annually through reduced staff turnover and lower reliance on agency workers and says applications for council jobs have more than doubled.
Not (quite) everyone at South Cambs is working a four-day week! https://t.co/GNjSMXuWIg
— Mark Williamson (@markrwilliamson) October 29, 2025
However, the leaked extracts show Mr Reed is seeking “assurance” that service levels are being protected. “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,” he wrote.
Although the Government currently has no legal power to stop councils running four-day week trials, Mr Reed has requested a meeting with Ms Smith to discuss the findings and the trial’s impact.
Councillor Smith has defended the policy, insisting that overall performance has been “maintained and improved” and that the council’s approach is delivering financial and recruitment benefits. She has agreed to meet the minister to “provide reassurance”.
Ryan Coogan, of Cambridgeshire Reform, posted earlier today: “I am utterly opposed to tax payers paying for five days work and getting four, and opposed the increased costs and utter shambles some departments have become at South Cambs.
“I am aligned with the Labour Party on this issue.
“What I am surprised about is Labour taking this stance and perplexed they are finally on the side of the people.”
