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Second hogmanay hurdle cleared at Holyrood
01 February 2007
Usdaw members across Scotland were celebrating after a bill banning large stores from opening their doors on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day passed its second stage in the Scottish parliament, despite opposition from some big retailers.
MSPs sitting on the Justice Two Committee (JTC) scrutinised the bill and unanimously rejected six amendments that sought to remove store closures on New Year's Day or to delay its implementation.
The bill is being sponsored by Labour MSP Karen Whitefield and now faces a final vote of the full Scottish parliament in early March before it becomes law.
"We're taking nothing for granted as there is one more stage to go," said General Secretary John Hannett. "But we're hopeful it has a good chance of becoming law.
"Usdaw members were delighted this bill had such strong cross-party support from the MSPs.
"Thousands of Usdaw members have lobbied their MSPs and made our case that shopworkers want to spend time with their families on Christmas Day and during Hogmanay.
"This clearly had an impact as the JTC has now backed a bill that allows shopworkers and their families to enjoy Christmas with their families at home and not working in a shop. The bill will also make sure thousands of shopworkers across Scotland can enjoy the traditional Hogmanay celebrations.
"We are also sure this bill will not have a negative impact on the Scottish economy as some companies have."
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