Scottish Catholic Observer

The bishops of Scotland have endorsed a letter from the Christian Institute to all Scottish MPs asking them to reject plans to liberalise Sunday trading in England and Wales.

Later today the Westminster Parliament will vote on whether or not to liberalise the Sunday Trading Act. The act which permitted restricted opening hours on a Sunday, never applied to Scotland, where there has traditionally been a more liberalised environment. Scottish workers, however, are guaranteed a wage premium for working on Sundays.

The letter to MPs says that means any change could indirectly effect Scottish workers.

“Some might suggest that this is not a matter for Scotland but this is plainly not the case,” the letter says. “The shop workers union USDAW has clearly demonstrated that any further liberalisation of Sunday trading law in England and Wales will cost Scottish workers dearly as a result of the consequential erosion of Sunday premium pay in Scotland.”

The letter goes on to say that the work of leading employment lawyer John Bowers QC, ‘makes it clear that the new Sunday trading employment provisions—introduced to protect people in England, Wales and Scotland from being compelled to work on Sundays—are flawed.’

“While at first glance, therefore, this might not seem to be an issue for Scotland, we submit that it most certainly is,” it says. “We would call on all Scotland’s Members of Parliament to stand up for Scottish workers and for Scotland this Wednesday and to vote for the amendment to delete the Sunday trading provisions from the Enterprise Bill.”

Business Minister Anna Soubry today said: “It should be up to councils to decide what is right for their communities. They know their businesses large and small and their residents.
“Shop workers will get more protections under our plans for those that do not want to work Sundays and if people want to work longer, they will have that flexibility.”

The SNP has indicated all of its MPs will vote against any change.

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