SNP members have backed calls for a four-day working week in an independent Scotland.

A motion at the party's annual conference event of independence, calling for ministers to review working practices in Scotland, including a possible shift to a shorter working week, passed by 1136 votes to 70.

The resolution states: "Conference calls on the Scottish Government to undertake a review into how working practices should be adapted to meet the needs of the future economy, including the possibility of a four-day working week and more support for people to work from home or closer to home, with a view to reform when Scotland gains full control of employment rights."

Delegate Lee Robb said the pandemic gave Scotland "the opportunity to reset and rethink how we work."

Employees who work a four-day week are "happier, healthier, more productive, less likely to take time off sick and less likely to be burned out by the end of the week", he said.

He continued: "Danish workers work around four hours per week less than we do in the UK yet their productivity is still around 23% higher than ours.

"Now, that tells us a few things, but it certainly tells us that many UK businesses are asking their employees to throw dead time at their jobs - where they're not adding to the productivity of the company - and it's to the detriment of mental health, to the detriment of a work life balance that's healthy."

Joe Ryle, a campaigner with the 4 Day Week Campaign, said the news from conference was "fantastic."

"Scotland is leading the way on the four-day week," he said

“Opportunities for implementing a four-day week should now be rigorously explored by the Scottish Government because it would dramatically improve people's lives and boost the Scottish economy through greater productivity.

“The four-day working week represents a brighter future for everyone.”