We welcome the launch of Employers for Work-Life Balance, under the chairmanship of Peter Ellwood. Millions of people across the UK would like to benefit from more flexible ways of working. At the same time the best businesses are showing that a better balance between work and life does not have to come at the expense of profits and competitiveness.

The challenge is to bring the rest nearer to the level of the best. Employers for Work-Life Balance has a key role to play - sharing experiences and best practice and showing what can be achieved through imagination and common sense, rather than legislation and regulation.

The UK already has the widest range of types and patterns of work in the European Union. But there is much more that we can do to get the benefits of flexibility - for employers and employees. We share a common aim. In partnership we can work towards a better work-life balance for both businesses and people.