Staff's four-day week as council boss says it's 'smarter working'

Extra day off for staff...South Cambridgeshire Council

- By Hannah Brown and Paul Brackley

A COUNCIL is believed to be the first to introduce a four-day working week.

The move was backed by 26-9 votes by councillors.

It came after a trial which started in 2023 found desk-based staff at South Cambridgeshire District Council were finishing their tasks in just 80% of their normal hours.

Lib Dem council leader Bridget Smith said the move heralded a “very bright future” and represented smarter working for the 21st century.

But the Tory opposition said taxpayers footing the bill for staff having an extra day off each week was a “slap in the face”.