The right is currently restricted to parents whose children are under six or disabled, but an independent review by Imelda Walsh, human resources director of supermarket giant Sainsbury, said the right should also apply to parents of children up to the age of 16.

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Business Secretary John Hutton said: "This is an excellent report that will give a big boost to busy parents who need more help balancing work and family life. It can also help employers who often find they get the best out of mums and dads when they allow them to work flexibly.

"It is important that employers retain control over deciding whether it suits their business to allow people to work flexibly, but extending the right to request to parents of older children will allow families to take priority when decisions are made."

Around six million workers currently have the right to ask for flexible arrangements, although the Government believes more than 14 million people work flexibly.

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