A Labour minister has slapped down demands for civil servants to work a four-day week.

Pensions minister Emma Reynolds ruled out the change after a union claimed the move could save the Government more than £21 million a year.

Asked about calls for a four-day week for civil servants, she told Times Radio: “Well they won’t get one.”

Pressed why, Ms Reynolds added: “Because we’re not living in the 1970s.”

On the research that it could save the Government £21.4 million a year, she said: “I don’t believe them.”

Ms Reynolds went on: “I see the benefit for those who want to have the flexibility to be able to work part time.

“I’m a mum of two young children. And you know, sometimes I wish that I worked part time.

“But I don’t think as a whole that civil servants as a general rule should work four days rather than five.”

Research by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union claimed the government could save £21.4m a year by allowing Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs staff to work a four-day week.

The study was carried out by Defra statisticians after interviewing more than 1,200 workers.

It comes after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner paved the way for a four-day in the public sector.

Earlier this month, the Local Government Secretary scrapped Whitehall opposition to the introduction of shorter working hours for the same pay by South Cambridgeshire council.