Men and women in the UK are not being treated equally when it comes to working under flexible circumstances, such as operating from a home-based office, according to a new report.

Research carried out recently by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) found that despite growing demand among British men for flexible working opportunities, women are more likely to be given the chance to work from home.

In fact, the study found that British women are 63 per cent more likely to have their flexible working demands met than their male counterparts and the commission is convinced that the situation will not improve unless positive action is taken by employers.

Commenting on the report, which goes on to outline a range of other aspects of working life where inequality is an issue in the UK, Jenny Watson, chair of the EOC, said: "This is a challenge that Gordon Brown’s new government urgently needs to address.

"A country that channels women into low paid work, fails to adequately support families and forces people who want to work flexibly to trade down in jobs pays a high price in terms of child poverty, family breakdown and low productivity," she made clear.

Last month, an EOC report suggested the UK is "lagging behind its European competitors" when it comes to introducing flexible working practices.