Thomas Bridge 10 April 2015

Pickles offers all public sector staff three days off for volunteering

Every public sector employee would be given three days of extra paid leave every year to volunteer, under Conservative plans unveiled today.

Measures would also affect any employee at a business with at least 250 employees and could see around half the UK workforce becoming entitled to further time off.

Conservative Party leader David Cameron said the policy marked ‘Big Society in action’.

However Labour said the measure could ‘cost millions’ and had already ‘unravelled’ over the question of funding.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme the proposals were ‘very sensible and very modest’ with funding for organisations to cover the staff on leave ‘worked out according to patterns of work’.

‘In any large organisation you’ll want to train staff and enhance staff, and allowing staff to go out and get this new experience is going to enhance productivity,’ Pickles added.

Cameron said: ‘Today’s announcement is a double win. It’s good for our economy, as it will help create a better, more motivated workforce. And it’s good for our society too, as it will strengthen communities and the bonds between us.’

Labour’s Shadow Minister for Civil Society, Lisa Nandy, said: ‘Giving every public servant three extra days off could cost millions of pounds but there’s no sense of how it will be paid for. If just half of public sector workers took this up it would be the time equivalent of around 2,000 nurses, 800 police and almost 3,000 teachers.

‘Before the last election David Cameron made promise after promise about volunteering as part of his so-called big idea the “Big Society” - he made this same promise in 2008 when he said he wanted to give public servants time off. Since then this has become just another broken promise with volunteering falling under the Tories.’

Businesses were split on the plans, with the CBI describing its as a ‘win-win for everyone concerned’ and the Institute of Directors branding proposals ‘heavy-handed government intervention’.

Four-day working win image

Four-day working win

Cllr Bridget Smith, leader of South Cambs DC, reflects on the results of the council’s four-day week trial and calls on Labour to back the shorter week.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Repairs Planner

Ashfield District Council
£27,711 to £30,060 per annum
We are seeking an organised and proactive Repairs Planner to join our team. Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Communications Officer - Media

Ashfield District Council
£31,067 - £33,366 per annum
Are you an experienced Communications professional who is passionate about creative and effective communications? Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Income Manager

Ashfield District Council
£49,764 - £52,805 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for an Income Manager to join our Housing Management Department. Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Enquiry and Payments Advisor RBKC619091

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£28,545 - £30,771 pro rata per annum
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is entirely focused on meeting the needs of our local community. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Social Worker - Children in Care, Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£36101.0000 - £48622.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Children in Care, Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time£36,101 to £48,622 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.