More than 100 business and charity leaders have signed an open letter calling on ministers to “lead the country’s transition toward a shorter working week”, amid a growing row over the future of the four-day week in local government.
The letter, coordinated by the 4 Day Week Foundation, comes after Steve Reed, the local government secretary, criticised South Cambridgeshire District Council — the first in England to trial a four-day working week — claiming the move had harmed performance and value for money.
In a letter leaked to The Telegraph, Reed expressed his “deep disappointment” at the council’s decision to make its four-day trial permanent. Citing an independent report, he said performance had “declined in key housing-related services including rent collection, reletting times and tenant satisfaction with repairs”.
In response, more than 100 senior figures from across business, charities and trade unions have urged the government to establish a working time council to oversee and guide a nationwide shift towards a four-day week.
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