Sunday trading laws: More than 100 Tory council leaders back the government ahead of vote to devolve powers over Sunday trading to local authorities
More than 100 Tory council leaders have backed government plans to devolve powers over Sunday trading laws to local authorities, ahead of a vote today in the House of Commons on whether to give councils in England and Wales the freedom to decide if larger stores can stay open for more than six hours on Sundays.
In a letter sent today to housing and planning minister Brandon Lewis, the councillors said they “want the government to put its trust into local councils”.
“As leaders of our local communities we want the government to put its trust into councils. We are best placed to make decisions about Sunday trading.”
Number 10 has defended the shake-up, saying the new rules are “a way to enhance the ability of communities to support their high streets”.
But Labour and the SNP are opposing the devolution plans, and more than 20 Tory MPs have threatened to rebel, calling into question whether the government will have enough support to push through the proposed changes.
Small shops can currently open when they want to on Sundays, but larger stores are limited to six hours between 10am and 6pm.