According to research carried out by MetLife, 31% of workers aged 50 to 60 would like to receive this as part of their employee benefits package, but only 19% currently receive it.

The research, which is part of a campaign by MetLife to raise awareness among the 7.5m workers in the decade approaching retirement, showed strong demand for help from employers with supporting elderly relatives, with 30% of workers saying they would like advice on caring for the elderly.

It also revealed that workers born between 1951 and 1961 are most likely to be offered flexible working arrangements and the chance to learn new skills.

Around half of all employees have the opportunity to choose their working hours and to receive training.

Just 31% are offered health and wellness programmes at work and only 3% are offered benefits which would help them care for elderly relatives.

However when workers are asked what they would like to receive 31% said they would like flexible working arrangements while 29% would like health and wellness programmes and 25% would want support for training and learning new skills.