The Government is to consider making extended Olympic Sunday trading hours permanent, but critics are concerned about the impact on families. During the six weeks of the Olympics and Paralympics large shops are allowed to choose when they open on a Sunday, rather than being restricted to six hours between 10am and 6pm. On Monday the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the legislation allowing unrestricted opening was for a defined period but a ‘number of people want to look at this issue. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said , ‘I’m always keen that we respect people’s religious beliefs. But I think we should kind of look long and hard at the results.’ Labour Party’s business spokesman Chuka Umunna commented,’We were very clear – a temporary relaxation of Sunday trading restrictions should not be used as a Trojan horse for permanent change.’
Pray: that this debate will not lead to extending current Sunday trading laws. (Gen.2:3)