Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government written question – answered at on 12 June 2026.
James Cleverly
Shadow Secretary of State for 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.
Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
