STUNT: Naughty list Norwich: TPA campaigns against council’s four-day week

For immediate release

• Four-day week could cost Norwich taxpayers £3.6 million a year in lost staff time, equivalent to band D bills of 12,622 households
• TPA visits Norwich for Christmas stunt against council plans

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) visited Norwich today (7th December) for a visual stunt to protest against Norwich City Council introducing a four-day week for staff, as the TPA revealed that a four day week could cost Norwich taxpayers £3.6 million per year. Members of staff dressed as Santa Claus and an Elf, holding a “naughty list” sign featuring Norwich council (photos attached).

The council has agreed a motion to “explore the benefits” of a four-day week, which the TPA has warned against. An FOI request submitted to the council revealed that the council’s total pay bill is £18,239,177. A 20 per cent reduction in working hours for staff is equivalent to £3,647,835 of staff time. This is equivalent to the band D bills of 12,622 households, based on the Norwich city council element of the overall council tax bill (£289 in 2023/24).

TPA research suggests that a four-day week, if introduced across the public sector, would mean the loss of £30 billion of working time. Our research has also concluded that there is no credible evidence that productivity can, as a result of introducing a four-day week, increase sufficiently to make up for the shorter working week. 

The TPA was instrumental in Bassetlaw District Council’s decision to rule out implementing a four-day week, having planned previously to trial the scheme. 

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM THE STUNT

Joe Ventre, digital campaign manager and head elf of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:

"Unless Norwich City Council shelves plans to bring in a four-day week, they’ll be getting coal under the tree this year. 

“This experiment has already gone disastrously wrong elsewhere, and will lead to worse services or higher taxes for local families.

“If town hall bosses want to get off Santa’s naughty list, they should rule out implementing this bonkers scheme.”

TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)

Media contact:

Conor Holohan

Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance

[email protected]

24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)

Notes to editors:

1. Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
   
   
2. TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
   
   
3. The £3.6 million figure is based on data from a freedom of information (FOI) request which put the council’s total pay bill at £18,239,177.
   
   
4. The 12,622 household figure is based on the Norwich city council element of total council tax bills, which in 2023/24 was £289.
   
   
5. The TPA is running a campaign against the four-day week in the public sector.