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The government will explore new ways to allow businesses to deal more effectively with requests for flexible working, according to the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR).

As part of a consultation published today, the government plans to extend flexible working rights to all parents with children under the age of 16.

The consultation also aims to raise awareness among employees of their rights to request flexible working hours.

Employment relations minister, Pat McFadden, said: "The right to request flexible working has worked well because it helps employees to balance their home and work lives."

"But at the same time it gives employers the right to say no where there are legitimate business concerns," he said.

He added that parenting does not end when a child gets older, prompting the government to extend the option of flexibility to parents of older children.

People who are entitled to request flexible working hours include fathers and carers.

The government already provides online forms for employers to allow them to deal with flexible working requests quickly and easily.