Ten years of a Labour government have brought significant progress in terms of establishing a more flexible workforce around the UK, according to a recent report.

An assessment of life for a British employee during the last decade from the Work Foundation suggests that the Labour Party has been enthusiastic about bringing in flexible working practices and that these options are now more widely available.

However, the report also notes that other European countries have made greater progress in allowing home-based working and that in the UK there remains "unmet demand" for flexible working arrangements.

Reflecting on the progress made in improving the work-life balance of the average Briton, the report’s authors wrote: "One of the areas where the government has shown most enthusiasm, the availability of flexible working practices, has risen significantly – helped by the right to request of 2003."

Leader of the Conservative Party David Cameron announced recently that he would extend the right to request flexible working to all parents in the UK if successful at the next general election.