However, pressure group claims DTI vindicates deregulation of Sunday shopping
Retail workers' union Usdaw has claimed that the independent Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) cost-benefit analysis of Sunday shopping hours, released today, shows a relaxation of current laws will not create jobs.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said: 'Supporters of extended hours have peddled the myth that it will mean extra jobs, but the report finally nails that idea as misleading and not based in reality. Stores will simply shift staff from weekday shifts to weekend working, but those workers will have their weekends ruined as they come under extra pressure to turn in and staff the stores.'

However, in its submission to the DTI, Deregulate, the organisation campaigning on behalf of retailers for liberalisation, said that lifting restrictions on Sunday shopping would lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, give consumers more choice and boost the economy.

Deregulate chairman David Ramsden said: 'We are wholly satisfied with the report. It confirms much of what we have been saying. A figure for an increase in the retail spend of£20.3 billion over 20 years or£1.4 billion a year is a significant increase and vindicates what we have been saying.'

Ramsden added: 'Asda are on public record as saying if the Sunday trading hours are extended across the UK, they will create 7,500 jobs.'

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