[Kate!]

Dismay at Sunday trading laws move

"The government's use of emergency legislation to force through a suspension of Sunday trading rules during the Olympics has left shopworkers 'bitterly disappointed', their union has said. MPs voted through The Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill on 30 April, after just nine hours consideration and debate in both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The legislation will suspend the Sunday trading laws in England and Wales for eight weeks this summer starting from 22 July.

In a break with the convention that MPs have a free vote on the issue of Sunday trading, Coalition MPs were subject to a three-line whip, meaning all Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs were compelled to back the Bill. The shopworkers' union Usdaw said the government's decision to deny its MPs a free vote reflected the shambolic way the issue had been handled and the failure of the government to make a convincing case for the suspension. Responding to the vote, Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said 'only a handful of large commercial interests who would prefer a permanent deregulation of Sunday trading backed the temporary suspension.' He added: 'The vast majority of shopworkers are against longer Sunday opening hours and they will be bitterly disappointed by the vote. Thousands of our members contacted their MP to ask them to vote against this Bill and they will feel let down by the many MPs who failed to recognise the importance of shopworkers having time off with their families. While the government has said this Bill is only a temporary measure, Usdaw will monitor the situation very closely and we will campaign hard against any further deregulation should the Coalition fail to live up to its commitment."

Usdaw news release. House of Commons votes, 30 April 2012.

Where do you stand on this issue? Should Sunday Trading be permanently deregulated?

I'm somewhat neutral on this one, personally and selfishly I'd say yes, but it puts pressure on employees to work ever increasing hours (unless part-time staff could be taken on for the extra hours, thus creating more jobs?) so that's a concern of mine.

Will the Government keep its' word that said temporary deregulation for the duration of the Olympics, is in fact temporary or will they use the opportunity to say, "look, it works, let's make it permanent?" I foresee a lot of people up in arms if this proves to be the case.

Look forward to reading everyone's viewpoints.

[arista]

"Where do you stand on this issue? Should Sunday Trading"


Sunday Shoppers have Rights
I want shops open Every Day

[joeysteele]

I have a supermarket near me, it is open on Sundays until 4pm, I personally don't see a need to have all shops open more but this is where things are going,people want to shop and at that supermarket I mentioned just as it's closing at 4pm, it is amazing how many people want to dash in,in those last couple of minutes.

[Vicky.]

I think if this can be done for the olympics it should be done permanently...everywhere.

I see the sunday trading rules as ridiculous and dated. Sunday is just another day...

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I think if this can be done for the olympics it should be done permanently...everywhere.

I see the sunday trading rules as ridiculous and dated. Sunday is just another day...

You are right, that is how it is seen now just another day,as long as staff who say are employed for a 5 day week get 2 days off in a week,I don't see the problem as to Sunday trading now.

[Pyramid*]

I don't see a thing wrong with this at all. This is the modern world and all that.

There are thousands upon thousands of people who are more than happy to work Saturdays and Sundays to accomodate their own family lifestyles etc: at least they are working and willing to do so - if not, we'd all be without our treats out to the pubs, restaurants, take away meals, nipping out on a hot Sunday afternoon for ice creams, placing orders on the internet for all sorts.... the demand is there, people are willing to work - I don't see the issue tbh.

[Kizzy]

Well I guess it is just a sign of the times, will add to the breakdown of family life if parents are pressured to work weekend shifts.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I think if this can be done for the olympics it should be done permanently...everywhere.

I see the sunday trading rules as ridiculous and dated. Sunday is just another day...

Some may work Monday - Saturday


So Sunday is only the time they get to do shopping.

[Pyramid*]

Plus Sunday hours trading currently pulls in double time - extra money for those who need it.

The other plus side is that it allows some parents who chose to work Sundays (and of course Students and suchlike), an opportunity to make an extra bit of money.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by kizzy

Well I guess it is just a sign of the times, will add to the breakdown of family life if parents are pressured to work weekend shifts.

I agree, I love my weekends off, it's the only time my kids and Gav and myself are all off together

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by arista

Some may work Monday - Saturday


So Sunday is only the time they get to do shopping.

Indeed Arista - this is very true.

I used to work Saturdays & Sundays as part of my working week years ago: and I loved the days off during the week - shops were quieter, there were less queues everywhere - and it didn't hamper my life in any way - it had it bonuses and I don't mean in the financial term.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Plus Sunday hours trading currently pulls in double time - extra money for those who need it.

The other plus side is that it allows some parents who chose to work Sundays (and of course Students and suchlike), an opportunity to make an extra bit of money.

That will be the next thing to go, if sat and sun are just part of the working week there will not be any double time or days ln lieu for working them will there?

[Livia]

Some people want to work at weekends though. It suits some people to share the childcare and make extra money. No one's got a gun to their head, and yet there will be many who want to take advantage of it. I know lots of people who work in retail and already work Sundays and Bank Holidays.

[Jack_]

Yeah, I'm in support of it. This existing trading law is built on age old religious codes of practice and as far as I'm concerned is completely irrelevant in the modern world. And of course, the sooner we edge away from religious codes of practice, the better.

Just as long as it doesn't allow for further exploitation of employees. If people are willing to work, and people are willing to shop, then let it be.

[Kizzy]

Yep like I said weekend = just another day

[thesheriff443]

the rat race 24-7

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

the rat race 27-7

I see your clock/calendar works different from the rest of the world.....

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Yeah, I'm in support of it. This existing trading law is built on age old religious codes of practice and as far as I'm concerned is completely irrelevant in the modern world. And of course, the sooner we edge away from religious codes of practice, the better.

Just as long as it doesn't allow for further exploitation of employees. If people are willing to work, and people are willing to shop, then let it be.

We do live in a very different world from even as little as 20 years ago.

Sunday trading in Scotland has been the case for years and years - as I am sure is the case south of the border.

How much money do retail parks pull in over the weekends, and on Sundays.....a fair amount I'd guess.... some stats on Sunday sales figures vs a week day would be interesting.

If people wish to retain their own religious (or otherwise) belief that Sunday is a day of rest - that's their choice, but I'd say they were certainly in the minority.

Additonally: like I say: many families go out together for Sunday lunches - if people didn't work in such trades - that would simply not be an option: we'd be back in the days of old.