MPs rally to oppose changes to Sunday trading
24 May 2006
MPs from all sides of the House of Commons have called on the Government to reject demands from supermarkets to extend opening hours on a Sunday.
The appeal was made during an important Westminster Hall debate on Sunday trading, which saw MPs voice their concerns about the “devastating” impact of longer opening hours on small shops and communities, and voice their criticisms of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) recently published cost benefit analysis of Sunday trading.
Andrew Smith, Labour MP for Oxford East, who led the debate, said there was no public demand for a review of current trading arrangements on Sundays. He argued that extending opening hours would lead to the closure of small shops, the erosion of family life and end of the "special character" of Sundays.
Mr Smith said: "I think the onus is very much on those who want longer or deregulated hours to make the case. I don't think they have succeeded in doing this. I don't think they have convinced the public either. Both from what my constituents in Oxford tell me and from opinion polls, I see no tide of opinion in favour of longer opening hours for large stores quite the contrary."
West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper took the opportunity to congratulate ACS for ensuring a good public debate on this issue considering “just how badly deregulation will affect our constituencies and constituents.” A number of other MPs referred to ACS’ contribution to the debate.
ACS Director of Public Affairs James Lowman commenting on the debate said: “The message from MPs was loud and clear- the Sunday Trading Act does not need amending. ACS is delighted to see MPs challenging the Minister on this issue and putting across our members’ concerns.
“We were also very pleased to hear MPs quoting from our research and putting on the Parliamentary record just how small retailers will be devastated by a change on the law.
“We agree with the MPs who argued that those pressing for longer hours have yet to justify their case. There is a wealth of polling that demonstrates that consumers are just not demanding change and that they are happy with the current arrangement.
“This debate served to reinforce the feeling that Parliament would oppose any changes to the Sunday trading Act and that the Government would find it difficult to get any such changes through Parliament.”
The appeal was made during an important Westminster Hall debate on Sunday trading, which saw MPs voice their concerns about the “devastating” impact of longer opening hours on small shops and communities, and voice their criticisms of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) recently published cost benefit analysis of Sunday trading.
Andrew Smith, Labour MP for Oxford East, who led the debate, said there was no public demand for a review of current trading arrangements on Sundays. He argued that extending opening hours would lead to the closure of small shops, the erosion of family life and end of the "special character" of Sundays.
Mr Smith said: "I think the onus is very much on those who want longer or deregulated hours to make the case. I don't think they have succeeded in doing this. I don't think they have convinced the public either. Both from what my constituents in Oxford tell me and from opinion polls, I see no tide of opinion in favour of longer opening hours for large stores quite the contrary."
West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper took the opportunity to congratulate ACS for ensuring a good public debate on this issue considering “just how badly deregulation will affect our constituencies and constituents.” A number of other MPs referred to ACS’ contribution to the debate.
ACS Director of Public Affairs James Lowman commenting on the debate said: “The message from MPs was loud and clear- the Sunday Trading Act does not need amending. ACS is delighted to see MPs challenging the Minister on this issue and putting across our members’ concerns.
“We were also very pleased to hear MPs quoting from our research and putting on the Parliamentary record just how small retailers will be devastated by a change on the law.
“We agree with the MPs who argued that those pressing for longer hours have yet to justify their case. There is a wealth of polling that demonstrates that consumers are just not demanding change and that they are happy with the current arrangement.
“This debate served to reinforce the feeling that Parliament would oppose any changes to the Sunday trading Act and that the Government would find it difficult to get any such changes through Parliament.”