Lord Bagri passes away

Highlights

• Local government secretary Steve Reed criticised South Cambridgeshire Council’s four-day week despite independent data showing improvements.
• Over 100 business and charity leaders signed open letter urging government to support shorter working week transition
• Council leader says policy saves £399,000 annually and disputes minister’s performance claims.

More than 100 business and charity leaders have demanded the government support Britain’s transition to a shorter working week, after local government secretary Steve Reed criticised a council for adopting a four-day work pattern.

In a letter leaked to the Telegraph, Reed claimed an independent report showed that "performance had declined in housing services including rent collection, re-letting times and tenant satisfaction with repairs". He wrote to the South Cambridgeshire District Council and expressed “deep disappointment” over the policy.