date: 14 May 2008

embargo: For immediate release

Government must be bold when extending flexible working rights, says TUC

Responding to the proposals announced today (Wednesday) in the Government's Draft Legislative Programme to extend the right to request flexible working, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Any extension of the right to request flexible working is great news for parents struggling to combine work with their often hectic family lives.

'This right has been hugely popular since it was introduced in 2001, with 90 per cent of requests granted by employers. Yet business lobbyists have opposed its extension at every stage, and have been fighting hard to limit this latest proposal.

'But while we welcome any extension, we will see it as a spur to step up our campaign for a universal right to request flexible working for all.'

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Press release (300 words) issued 14 May 2008