SHOPWORKERS trade union leader John Hannett is delighted with the House of Commons vote that defeated the government and removed Sunday trading changes from the Enterprise Bill. The Government was defeated by a majority of 31 MPs, 317 to 286 with Labour, the SNP and 27 Tory rebels carrying the day.
John Hannett – USDAW General Secretary says: ‘This is a huge victory for shopworkers and all those who value the special nature of Sundays and we are grateful to MPs from all parties who supported our campaign and voted against the Government this evening.
‘This is the third occasion in five years that Conservative Ministers have attempted to permanently change Sunday trading regulations and the third time they have been unsuccessful.
‘We hope now the Government will leave this great British compromise alone and focus on providing real support for the retail sector, not the unwanted and unnecessary bureaucracy that devolution would have resulted in.
‘The current Sunday trading rules are a fair compromise, which has worked well for over 20 years, and gives everyone a little bit of what they want. Retailers can trade, customers can shop, staff can work; whilst Sunday remains a special day, different to other days, and shopworkers can spend some time with their family.’
Before the vote, ministers indicated they would seek to amend their proposals in the House of Lords if MPs approved them in principle. But while blaming the SNP for the defeat, ministers conceded afterwards the plans would not be resurrected.
In the biggest proposed shake-up for 20 years, ministers wanted to give the 353 councils in England and 22 in Wales the freedom to determine opening hours for large shops in their area.
During a three-hour debate, a succession of Conservative MPs spoke out against the changes – first announced by Osborne in last year’s Budget – and the way they were being introduced.
Conservative MP David Burrowes, who tabled the successful rebel amendment, said the government had not made the economic case for such sweeping changes, which he said were opposed by businesses of all sizes, shop workers and faith groups.
