MPs and the public believe that the government needs to implement measures to promote flexible working opportunities in the UK.

More than three-quarters of the public and 69 per cent of MPs said more needs to be done to boost flexible working, according to a Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and PCG study.

Simon McVicker, head of public affairs at PCG, commented: “It’s abundantly clear from these results that both the public and MPs understand that flexible working is crucial to the ongoing UK economic growth, however we feel policy is dangerously lagging behind.”

The PCG and the REC have urged the government to implement a simplified tax system, which rewards flexible work rather than penalising businesses that offer career development opportunities.

Tom Hadley, REC director of policy and professional services, added: “We must move away from the outdated notion that traditional full-time work is the only viable or desirable form of employment.”

However, research from WorldatWork found that those who take advantage of flexible working opportunities are not likely to be promoted.