After some confusion, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has finally released a press release today (16 February) stating that the right to request time off for training is not going to be extended to all employees from April 2011.
The right to request time off for training was introduced for employees of large employers (i.e. those who have 250 or more employees) in April 2010, with a view to it being extended to all employers from April 2011.
The reason for the postponement is that government ministers want more time to examine the potential impact of the regulation on small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).
It is not known when the extension will be implemented, if at all.