Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi put forward proposals in a Private Member’s Bill which she said would help secure more flexible working “where it meets the needs of both individuals and businesses”.
The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill seeks to amend existing legislation to allow employees to make two requests for flexible working in a 12-month period; to no longer have to explain the impact on their employer, and to require consultation before an application is refused.
Both the Conservatives and Labour committed to make flexible working the default state in their 2019 election manifestos.
Qureshi, the MP for Bolton South East, is a shadow equalities minister but was speaking from the backbenches.
She told the Commons: “By removing these invisible restrictions, flexible working fosters a more diverse workforce and the evidence shows that this leads to improved financial returns for businesses as well.”
She said the Bill would “introduce a duty on...