USDAW claims victory in fight for Sunday shopping hours

The government has rejected the idea of an extension in Sunday opening hours for large stores, in a move hailed as a victory by shop workers union USDAW.

Announcing the decision on 6 July, Alistair Darling, secretary of state for trade and industry said that a consultation exercise on the issue revealed "no substantial demand for change".

USDAW took the possibility of a change in the law seriously. A survey of members showed that 80% already had to work on Sundays and 95% opposed any extension to the six-hour limit. Thousands wrote to their MPs asking them to oppose any increase.

General secretary John Hannett said: "USDAW members have come out in their thousands to tell MPs how precious Sunday is to them and their families."

He said the union had run a highly effective, fact-based campaign based on members' evidence and the decision not to extend the hours was a "victory for common sense". He added that Britain is the most deregulated retail environment in Europe with 150 hours shopping a week.

Under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 there are no restrictions on small shops but large shops (over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft) can only open for six continual hours between 10am and 6pm on Sundays and are closed on Easter Sunday.

The Act applies to England and Wales but there are no restrictions on Sunday shopping hours in Scotland.