Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

MPs reject Sunday trading extension 

Government plans to liberalise Sunday trading across England and Wales have been defeated in the House of Commons by 317 votes to 286 

ShoppingMinisters had wanted to give councils in England and Wales the freedom to determine opening hours for large shops in their area. In England and Wales stores that are over 280 square metres are allowed to open for six continuous hours, between the hours of 10am and 6pm.
 
However, the plans, which were not in the Conversative 2015 election manifesto, have been criticised by MPs from all parties. The government tried to persuade rebels by promising to introduce an amendment in the House of Lords that would see pilot schemes introduced which local authorities could apply for.  
 
However, 317 MPs still rejected this and supported an amendment that will now see Sunday trading proposals deleted from the Enterprise bill.
 
The vote was welcmed by the charity Christian Action Research and Education (CARE), which has campaigned against removing the Sunday Trading Regulations. Its chief executive Nola Leach said, 'You cannot put a price on the importance of family life and so we are delighted MPs have kicked the government’s pointless Sunday trading plans into the long grass.
 
'The government have brought this very embarrassing defeat on themselves by bringing these anti-family plans back and doing so in a manner that denied MPs and Peers the chance to properly scrutinise the proposals. 
 
'The total lack of transparency and the failure to publish the impact assessment of these proposals on family life until a few hours before the debate today is nothing short of lamentable.
 
'Given the quite extraordinary way the government have handled this whole business, it should be no surprise MPs rallied to defeat further liberalisation to Sunday trading across England and Wales.  
 
'These proposals would have undermined small businesses, put new pressures on shop workers who do not want to work longer hours and eroded time off in common for families.'
 
'Today’s outcome is the right result and a victory for families, workers, small businesses and all the other groups who opposed these wholly unnecessary and unpopular plans.'


Picture: FreeDigitalPhotos

Baptist Times, 09/03/2016
    Post     Tweet
'A thank-you—from those taught, challenged, and inspired by her ministry'
The Revd Dr Karen E. Smith was surprised with the presentation of a new volume published in her honour at this year’s Baptist Historical Society Summer Conference
Calling previous members of the Joppa Group
Were you a member of the Joppa Group? Do you have historic papers about it? An invitation-based roundtable event is being co-convened to mark the 40th anniversary of the group's founding. Paul Weller explains more
Ripples of Change - a service of celebration and thankfulness
A service has been organised to mark the role Jane Day served in our Baptist family as Centenary Enabler, combining thankfulness for the progress made, as well as a time of lament for many of the findings of Project Violet. Lisa Kerry explains more
I Will...Leave a lasting legacy
The Baptist Union of Great Britain with BMS World Mission have now launched a new church resource to help those considering an ongoing blessing to support God’s mission both in the UK and overseas
Church planting: a national perspective on God at work
A report from the latest meeting of the The National Church Planting Network, which aims to spot emerging trends - and seek God’s direction together for the future of church planting in the UK
Graduation for Baptist local leaders course
The first cohort of students on a two year course designed to help Baptist church members deepen their understanding of faith and develop skills in ministry and mission has graduated
     Latest News 
    Posted: 04/06/2025
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast