Details are sketchy so far, but we do know that the Government’s independent review will concentrate on how far the right to request flexible working should be expanded. It is currently available to parents of children under the age of six (or under the age of 18 if the child is disabled) and carers of adults aged 18 or over. The Government suggests that the right could be extended to parents of children aged under nine (benefiting an extra 1.4 million parents), 12 (benefiting an extra 2.6 million) or even 17 (benefiting an extra 4.5 million).

If these figures look stark for employers (especially small employers), there is some good news for them in the announcement that the review is being led by someone at the sharp end who has practical experience of implementing flexible working policies. The Government has chosen Imelda Walsh, human resources director at Sainsbury's, so businesses should at least get their voices heard.

The review will report back to the Government in spring 2008 and this will be followed by a formal consultation. No implementation date has been set but The Daily Telegraph has reported that it could be as early as 2008.

Read more about the proposals on the Government News Network website. See also the BBC, The Times and The Financial Times websites for more.