The right to request flexible working will be extended to include parents of all children aged under 18, as of 6 April 2011.

At the moment, the flexible working right applies to those with children aged 17 and under, those with disabled children aged 18 and under and those who are carers to certain adults.

Edward Davey, employment relations minister, has said that the new plans are part of a drive by the government to create a 'fairer and more family-friendly society', alongside making it easier for employers and employees to check if they are eligible to request flexible working.

Alongside these proposals, the government will also announce plans to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, whether they have children or not.

This consultation is expected to kick off in January next year and be concluded in March. If deemed suitable, the proposals could be rolled out in April 2012.

The trade union TUC has said that, whilst it welcomes the extension of flexible working to parents of children under 18, it will continue to push for every worker to have the right to request it.