Business and charity leaders urge ministers to lead England’s transition to four-day week

Open letter signed by more than 100 leaders comes after local government secretary criticised a council for switching to shorter week

• Analysis: Benefits of a four-day week are ever clearer, despite Steve Reed's stance

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.

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