Fury at civil servants' demand for four-day week – 'kill this idea stone dead!'

Fury at civil servants' demand for four-day week – 'kill this idea stone dead!' Threat to strike unless a change is made to working hours alongside 10% pay rise Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Steph Spyro , Deputy political editor and environment editor 18:24, Mon, Oct 12, 2026 Updated: 18:39, Mon, Oct 12, 2026 Civil servants could strike over a four-day working week (Image: Getty) Civil servants have threatened to strike unless they are given a four-day week and a 10% pay rise. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) will launch a vote for industrial action from October 20 over pay and conditions for its members. This will include “progress towards a four-day working week with no loss of pay”. Mike Wood, shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “Taxpayers’ money should not be wasted on this. But it is no surprise that unions feel emboldened to take this action, having been empowered by Labour’s Employment Rights Act. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “Labour ministers must make clear that they do not support a four-day week on full pay for civil servants and stand firm against any strike action.” Former local government secretary Steve Reed previously ruled out a four-day week for public servants. But the PCS said evidence showing the economic and social benefits of a four-day week was growing “ever more convincing”. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . There are two ways the four-day working week can operate. The first is when the hours worked in a five-day week are compressed into a four-day week, meaning longer working days. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Politics LIVE: Andy Burnham completely skewered over Brexit in Commons showdown Andy Burnham just tried to distract us with conspiracy theories - it's a slap in the face The second approach involves working fewer hours than the traditional five-day week but with no reduction in employee pay. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT William Yarwood, campaigns director at the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “The four-day week is a grift pushed by special interests that would leave hard-working taxpayers paying full price for fewer hours and worse services. “Ministers should kill this idea stone dead and demand proper productivity from the public sector.” The PCS will need at least half of its members to vote, with a majority of these voting for the proposed strikes. Angela Rayner last year made it easier for civil servants to strike by removing a requirement that at least 40% of the total workforce voted for action through the Employment Rights Act. The PCS’ Dan Durcan said: “Civil servants have a responsibility to be objective. The evidence about the economic and social benefits of a four-day week grows ever more convincing. “PCS members will soon vote on taking industrial action on a four-day week. This could result in one of the most significant changes to working life in the UK in over a century.” A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “The Government is committed to recognising the hard work of civil servants, while ensuring public sector pay remains sustainable. “Discussions will continue with Civil Service unions, including PCS, as part of departments’ ongoing engagement.” strikes Angela Rayner Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments