DadTalk

Mandelson halts flexitime reforms

Plans to allow parents to work flexibly are to be delayed by the Government as it searches for ways to help businesses survive the economic downturn

Plans to allow 4.5 million parents to work flexibly are to be delayed by the Government as it searches for ways to help businesses survive the economic downturn. The plan to extend the right to flexitime from parents of children under six to all those with children up to 16 was trumpeted by Gordon Brown and approved by Labour's annual conference last month. It looks likely, however, to be kicked into the long grass.

Lord Mandelson's efforts to cut red tape for firms are bound to provoke controversy. Extending the right to request flexible working for all parents of under-16's was a key plank of talks with the unions this summer.

It was due to take effect next April and an estimated 811,000 mothers and fathers were expected to request flexible working. With parents of children aged up to six, who can already request flexible hours, some 90 per cent of such requests are being granted. But the extension would cost employers an extra £69m a year.

Government sources say the decision is finely balanced. Ministers want to ease the pain of the downturn on ordinary people but must do everything possible to help business. Delaying a popular extension of workplace rights might contribute to a "feel-bad factor" and would be opposed by many Labour MPs and trade unions.

Read more at The Independent Online