The Daycare Trust have welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement in the Draft Queens Speech that the Government will be implementing the proposals of the Walsh Report, extending the right to flexible working to the parents of older children.

In his speech yesterday the Prime Minister announced the intention to introduce the changes recommended by Imelda Walsh, the HR Director of Sainsburys, from April 2009.

The right to request flexible working is currently limited to parents of children under six years old.

Imelda Walsh has recommended that the right to request flexible working be extended to parents with children up to the age of 16. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) have said that this reform will extend the right to request flexible working to 4.5 million more parents.

Alison Garnham, Joint Chief Executive of the Daycare Trust said:

"The teenage years are some of the toughest for parents, and flexible working is essential so parents of older children can strike the right balance between time at work and time with their children.

"Giving them the right to request flexible working would be a hugely welcome step, especially with the Government's drive to get lone parents into work when their youngest child is 12.

"However, flexible working isn't just for mums. Extending flexible working means that more men could reduce their working hours, delivering more time for children with both parents. It only remains for men to take up this option."

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