“Our members are vehemently opposed to any further deregulation
of Sunday trading hours and the Government’s own consultation on
this just last year showed that there is no widespread support from
either retailers or the general public for change.”
“Deregulation would do little to stimulate growth or create
jobs, but would have a very detrimental impact on the lives of
millions of shopworkers and their families. Any change would fly
totally in the face of the Government’s commitment to be
family-friendly.”
“To suggest that the current legislation, which allows shops to
open for 150 hours a week, means Britain is ‘closed for business’
is frankly ridiculous. With ministerial aides apparently briefing
the announcement out as a prelude to permanent change, and with the
total number of tourists actually expected to be down this summer,
there is understandable suspicion that the Government is trying to
use the London Olympics as cover for its wider deregulation
agenda.”
“I’m encouraged that the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has
agreed to our request for an urgent meeting on the issue, which
will take place this Tuesday, but we have made it clear to the
Government that we are extremely disappointed that an announcement
of such importance to our members and millions of other people has
been made in this manner and without any prior consultation.”
“Shopworkers are entitled to expect some respect from the
Government and for their views to be heard and taken into account
before any decisions of this importance are made.”
“Usdaw will also meeting on Tuesday with the Leader of the
Opposition, Ed Miliband to discuss our concerns.”
Notes for Editors:
1. A survey of over 10,000 Usdaw members completed in April last
year found that:
- 91% opposed large shops being able to open all hours on a
Sunday
- 95% thought the current ban on large shops opening on Christmas
Day and Easter Sunday should continue.
- 47% have caring responsibilities for children, elderly
relatives or others that make it difficult to work on a
Sunday.
2. A Gfk/NOP survey carried out in 2010 found that 89% of the
public were opposed to any relaxation of the Sunday Trading
laws.
3. Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is
the UK’s fourth biggest and fastest growing trade union with over
410,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 20% in the
last six years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw
members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many
members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals
and other trades.