Conflict in Coalition over Sunday Trading Laws

Posted on 15 August, 2012 by Kirsten Kennedy

Shoppers have enjoyed longer opening hours for retail commercial properties during the course of the Olympics, with the usual six hour trading period on Sundays extended for eight weeks. This was designed in order to allow visitors to the UK to spend time in the shops, bringing some much needed revenue to the ailing economy.

However, the Sunday trading laws have proven to be something of a sticking point in Parliament, with the debate of whether or not to make longer opening hours a permanent move causing a rift between members of the Coalition Government.

Senior members of the Conservative party have called for an eight hour trading day on Sunday to become a staple of British retailing, claiming that it will boost the economy and allow large commercial property shop owners the chance to take advantage of the weekend, encouraging higher volumes of custom.

However, Business Secretary Vince Cable is seeking to block the move, citing both the Trade Unions and the Church of England as influential groups which oppose the extension of opening hours on a Sunday. Trade Unions believe that workers in any large stores affected by the change in law would see a significant impact on their family life, and that longer working hours could lead to stress and discord amongst employees. The Church of England, meanwhile, is concerned that employees’ ability to attend church services or have their traditional “day of rest” should not be hindered by the Government’s desire to build the economy in this way.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has been one prominent member of the Conservative Party in voicing his opinions on the issue. He believes that the retail results for the six weeks trading laws were relaxed should be examined before making a considered decision on the matter. However, he does admit to supporting the extended hours proposal.

He said; “I’m always keen that we respect religious beliefs, but I think we should kind of look long and hard at the results.”

The six hour trading restrictions only apply to retail commercial properties of 3,000 square feet or over, meaning that small stores currently have an advantage over large chains such as Tesco, Asda and Waitrose. However, should the moves to make longer trading hours on a Sunday become universal, they will lose this advantage, and presumably a great deal of custom.

It is not only cross party tensions that have been stirred up by this debate – several Tory backbenchers have also voiced their displeasure that prominent members of their party are calling for an end to traditional trading hours.

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP, said; “This is a major breach of trust between the Government and the many Conservative MPs who only supported the measure because the Government promised the change would be temporary only.

“A permanent change would harm small traders, workers’ rights, and further damage relations between the Church and the Government.”

Trading laws only apply to England and Wales, while in Scotland large traders are able to open for longer hours on Sunday already, and have been for some time now. The impact of the longer trading hours during the Olympic period will be assessed before being included in a new economic regeneration Bill, which has been proposed to put before the House this autumn.

Do you think that Sunday trading laws should remain at six hours only so small shop owners and families will still be able to enjoy the privileges they currently have? Or do you believe that longer opening hours will be the much needed kick start for the economy?




2 responses to “Conflict in Coalition over Sunday Trading Laws”

  1. Barry says:

    I don’t see how this proposal will help the economy. If people haven’t got the money to spend in 6 hours on a Sunday what more will they buy given an extra 2 hours? Also, as the article states, this could be damaging to small retailers.

    • MOVEHUT says:

      Very true Barry, but I guess its more about freedom to do shopping at any time of the day. Some people may prefer to get their weekly shopping on a Sunday evening before a fresh week starts.

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