Business chiefs urge ministers to lead shift to four-day week

More than 100 business and charity leaders have called on ministers to "lead the country's transition toward a shorter working week", after the local government secretary criticised a council for shifting to a four-day work pattern.

- Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent

Steve Reed wrote to South Cambridgeshire council, the first English council to trial a four-day week, raising concerns about performance and value for money, and expressing his "deep disappointment".

In a letter leaked to the Telegraph, he claimed an independent report had shown performance "declined in key housing-related services including rent collection, reletting times and tenant satisfaction with repairs".

Yesterday, more than 100 leaders across multiple sectors signed an open letter to the business secretary, coordinated by the 4 Day Week Foundation, urging the government to create a working time council to guide the shift towards a shorter week.