Full-time workers' rights to ask for a four-day working week could be strengthened under government plans to increase flexible working.

Employees would still have to work their full hours to receive their full pay but could request to compress their contracted hours into a shorter working week, as first reported by the Daily Telegraph.

Since April, workers have already had the right to ask for flexible working as soon as they start a job but firms do not have to agree.

The government says it will not impose changes on staff or businesses, but the Conservatives say businesses are "petrified" about the plans.

A spokesperson at the Department for Business and Trade said: "Any changes to employment legislation will be consulted on, working in partnership with business."

Details of any changes are expected in the autumn when a law to create a new package of workers' rights is expected to begin its journey through Parliament.

Labour has pledged to repeal some anti-trade union laws, restrict the use of zero-hours contracts and expand flexible working arrangements.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calls the proposals "the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation".

But the Conservative opposition claims the approach would damage business and lead to reduced productivity.