Millions of working mothers will be able to demand a cut in their hours under plans to be unveiled by Gordon Brown this week.
The move will be a key part of the Prime Minister's fightback after Labour's disastrous drubbing in the town hall elections earlier this month.
At present, mothers with children up to the age of six are allowed to ask their boss for flexible hours or the option of going part-time.
But Mr Brown will change the rules so mums with kids up to at least age 12, and possibly older, will get the same rights.
About six million employees have the right to ask for flexible working - including those who look after elderly relatives and 3.6million parents whose children are disabled or under six. The "family friendly" policy will benefit as many as 4.5million extra parents.
Mr Brown will back the findings of a review of existing rules - to be published this week - which recommends extending the rights of working mothers.
The proposed change will force bosses to agree to flexible hours - unless the firm has a good reason to reject the request. Mr Brown will outline the policy among a raft of proposed laws which will be included in the Queen's Speech in the autumn. A source close to the PM said he was "very enthusiastic" about the plan.
Mr Brown will also announce proposals to strengthen the role of neighbourhood policing teams in a fresh crackdown on young thugs.
The PM is also considering postponing the planned 2p rise in fuel duty this autumn and offering more help for first-time buyers.
But his fightback could be derailed next week if Labour loses out to the Tories in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election following the death of veteran MP Gwyneth Dunwoody.
He is already bracing himself for more pressure from Labour MPs over his abolition of the 10p tax rate. And the PM is expected to come under attack from disabled rights campaigners over planned benefit changes in autumn, which they claim will cut £1.85 a week from "the poorest in society".
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