Plans to relax Sunday trading laws are moving ahead after the proposals stalled last year, the Government has revealed.
Chancellor George Osborne announced plans last summer to shake up the rules around Sunday trading, which will allow shops over 3,000 sq ft to open beyond the current limit of six hours.
The plans were reportedly put on hold after facing political opposition.
However Business Secretary Sajid Javid said today the plans will be included as an amendment in the Enterprise Bill.
Javid said: “Extending Sunday trading hours has the potential to help businesses and high streets across the UK better compete as our shopping habits change.”
The Government is also due to publish its response to a consultation on the measures later this month.
As part of the plans, councils will be able to prioritise “struggling” high streets and city centres, allowing shops to open longer. This measure prompted an outcry from some retailers.
The changes will also mean shop workers only have to give one month’s notice if they do not want to work on Sundays, as opposed to the current rule of three months.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which is overseeing the changes, flagged that online now accounts for 12.8% of retail sales as etailers have thrived.
However the rules around Sunday trading have not changed for more than 20 years, it said.
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