THIS is the moment Ranvir Singh clashes with James Cleverly over the Tory plan to ban a four-day working week.
The Shadow Home Secretary appeared on – but the presenter struggled to hide her frustration with him.
Ranvir Singh clashed with James Cleverly over the Tory plan to ban a four-day working weekCredit: ITV
Ranvir pressed him on the Conservatives’ priorities, asking why the party isn’t focussing on issues such as adult social careCredit: ITV
Cleverly said: “Taxpayers should not be paying full rates for part-time services.”
He vowed to “end the nonsense” – if the Tories come into power after the next .
However Ranvir pressed him on the Conservatives’ priorities, asking why the party isn’t focussing on issues such as adult social care.
She appeared visibly annoyed, saying: “Why aren’t you getting stuck into that this morning?
“That is where the real pinch point is for people watching this morning, not four-day weeks.
He fired back: “Are you suggesting that we should only deal with one issue?”
She replied: “No. I’m suggesting that there are bigger issues at play that bother people this morning than a council worker working a four-day week and according to some statistics, doing slightly less work or slightly more work.
“Happy workers, less turnover, more profit. What’s your problem?”
It comes after Sam Altman, the boss of , published a 13-page document on how companies should respond to AI disruption.
The billionaire boss said that productivity gains from AI should be converted into for employees who may be affected.
This could look like incentivising employers to run 32-hour or four-day workweek pilots with no loss in pay, according to Altman.
South Cambridgeshire is currently the only local authority signed up for a four-day week, but there are thought to be dozens more actively considering the move.
Full-time workers for South Cambridgeshire have a “scheduled rest day” so that their working week is four rather than the traditional five from Monday to Friday.
But Cleverly has pledged that “the Conservatives will end this nonsense” with a new to completely ban the practice among public services including councils and .
He said: “A four-day working week, where pay is maintained but and hours are reduced, is not value for and does disservice to hardworking families just trying to get by.”
The Westminster Government’s policy is that “local authorities should not be offering full-time pay for part-time work”, a position that Local Government Secretary set out in a letter to town hall leaders late last year.
It follows a growing movement of firms pledging to offer workers a four-day working week rather than five.
The Four Day Week Foundation said it spending the first few months of 2026 recruiting schools and councils to participate in shorter working week trials later this year.
Under the model, staff are expected to complete 100 per cent of their work in 80 per cent of their contracted hours with salary staying at the same level.
Trials for were initially launched back in 2022, with 18 UK companies making a permanent change a few months later.
Four-day week accredited employers now span those in , consulting and management, charities and , as well as companies in , housing, engineering, marketing, arts and entertainment, manufacturing, , recruitment, heritage, healthcare and education sectors.
A total of 254 firms now to their staff.
The Shadow Home Secretary appeared on GMB – but the presenter struggled to hide her frustration with himCredit: ITV
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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