Parents of children aged up to 16 will be given the right to request flexible working from their employers, despite business fears over the economy, the government has confirmed.

The measures, which will enable an extra 4.5 million people to access arrangements such as part-time working or amended hours, will come into force next April. The move does not require extra legislation so will not be formally included in the Queen’s speech today, but the government has made clear it is still part of the plans for the coming months.