Must Sunday trading laws be changed for Olympics?

Monday 19th March 2012

Sunday trading laws will be suspended for eight weekends from 22 July during the Olympics and Paralympics.

The Government is expected to announce the plan in this week's Budget so that traders can make the most of the influx of tourism.

Currently large stores are allowed to open only for six hours on a Sunday.

Chancellor George Osborne told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: "We've got the whole world coming to London and the rest of the country for the Olympics.

"It would be a great shame - particularly when some of the big Olympic events are on Sunday - if the country had a closed for business sign on it."

But critics believe that Sunday should remain a day of rest so shop workers can spend time with their famiies - and many fear that the change could become permanent.

John Hannett, General secretary of shopworkers' union Usdaw said: "The Government's own consultation just last year showed there is no widespread support from either retailers or the general public for change.

"Deregulation would have a very detrimental impact on the lives of millions of shopworkers.

"Shopworkers are entitled for their views to be heard before any decisions of this importance are made."

Do you agree? Should Sunday trading laws be changed for the Olympics or should they be kept as they are? Have your say using the comment section below

Mike Jones

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