Usdaw seeks MPs support for campaign to stop extension of Sunday shopping hours

MPs from across the political divide are being asked to sign an Early Day Motion supporting retail union Usdaw’s national campaign to stop the extension of Sunday shopping hours.

The EDM has been put down by Tamworth MP Brian Jenkins asking MPs from all parties to consider the impact on their constituencies if the present six hour limit for large stores to open on a Sunday is extended.

MPs are being asked to consider the detrimental impact deregulation of Sunday hours will have on Britain’s 2.7 million retail workers, the extra stresses that will be put on organisations like the police and health service if shops are open longer and the serious threat to the livelihoods of neighbourhood and community stores who might go out of business if large stores are open longer

“This EDM is not about opposing Sunday trading but pointing out to MPs the serious impact an extension of opening hours will have on constituencies like mine across the country,” Brian Jenkins said. “Usdaw have taken a typically sensible and pragmatic approach to this issue and I am happy to support their campaign to keep Sundays as a collective day for family activities and worship.”

“Usdaw have conducted an independent NOP opinion poll that shows 62% of the public do not want any extension to Sunday shopping so MPs need to make sure they listen to the views of millions of shoppers. That is what this EDM is all about.”

Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett welcomed the support of MPs from across the House of Commons as the Department of Trade and Industry conducts a cost-benefit analysis on deregulating Sunday trading hours.

“We’re grateful for Brian’s help in tabling this EDM. MPs need to appreciate that Britain’s army of retail workers want one shorter working day to spend time with their families,” John Hannett said. “Our survey proves there is no appetite from shoppers for longer hours, there is certainly none from shopworkers and even the retailers themselves can’t agree if they actually want longer hours.

“This EDM replaces emotion with hard facts. Shoppers already have 150 hours a week to spend their money. There are on average 4,000 shopworkers in every constituency and MPs across the political spectrum will recognise the massively detrimental impact any extension of Sunday hours will have on literally thousands of their constituents.

“The support of backbench MPs will send a very clear message to the DTI that millions of shoppers across the country recognise the negative impact of this proposal on retail staff and their communities.”

Notes to Editors:

• If you want to check if your MP has signed up then go to http://edmi.parliament.uk/edmi and search for EDM 1085 – Sunday Trading Hours.

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 341,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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