Derek Thomas MP for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has called on the Government to drop their plans to devolve Sunday trading powers to local authorities.
Derek Thomas said: “The Sunday trading hours we have now are a valued compromise that have worked for over 20 years and don’t require change. The current legislation strikes a perfect balance for families to spend quality time together at the same time as allowing people to shop.”
The proposals to devolve Sunday trading hours were announced during the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement but have been opposed by faith groups, small businesses and families. The latest research from the Social Market Foundation has shown that changes in the law will put pressure on the time shopworkers have to spend time with their families. Currently 77% of parents report work impinges on time they can spend with their families.
Mr Thomas continued: “Changing the law would have a negative impact on many of the small local shops that will have to compete with the big supermarkets that will be open longer. Removing Sunday trading will not increase trade but displace it from small businesses to large ones. I am supporting the Keep Sunday Special campaign and plan to vote against any changes to Sunday trading legislation.”
Polling conducted by Populus in August showed that 67% of the public support existing trading hours.
It is speculated that the Government will propose changes during the Cities and Devolution Bill in the coming weeks, while 20 Conservative MPs and the Labour Party have called on the Government to drop the plans.
Notes to Editors
- Social Market Foundation Report: Applying the Family Test: http://www.acs.org.uk/?wpdmdl=3530
- Populous Consumer Polling; Sunday trading August 2015: http://www.acs.org.uk/?wpdmdl=3534
- Daily Telegraph: Conservative MPs Rebel on Sunday trading Reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11936876/Conservative-MPs-rebellion-to-sink-Sunday-trading-hours-relaxation.html