Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Letter dated 19/12/2025 from Steve Reed MP to Council Leaders in England regarding the four day week in local government, DEP2026-0220, whether he plans to take best value action against (a) Cambridge City Council and (b) South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Ministers take a range of factors into account when considering whether to exercise statutory powers in relation to a local authority and will only act where necessary to secure compliance with the Best Value duty, underpinned by robust evidence of widespread, systemic, corporate, or service failure. The Secretary of State's letter of 19 December 2025 makes clear that statutory guidance in relation to the 4 day week remains in force.