This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35759590

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Government facing battle in Sunday trading vote Government facing battle in Sunday trading vote
(35 minutes later)
The government faces possible defeat on plans that could extend Sunday trading hours in England and Wales after the SNP said it would vote against them.The government faces possible defeat on plans that could extend Sunday trading hours in England and Wales after the SNP said it would vote against them.
MPs will vote later on handing control of the issue to local councils - which unions and Labour say could extend Sunday opening by up to six hours.MPs will vote later on handing control of the issue to local councils - which unions and Labour say could extend Sunday opening by up to six hours.
The SNP had considered abstaining in the vote, as there are no Sunday trading restrictions in Scotland.The SNP had considered abstaining in the vote, as there are no Sunday trading restrictions in Scotland.
But the party now plans to vote against extending hours in England and Wales.But the party now plans to vote against extending hours in England and Wales.
It claims the plans could hit shop workers' pay in Scotland - a position described as "extraordinary" and "hypocritical" by the government.It claims the plans could hit shop workers' pay in Scotland - a position described as "extraordinary" and "hypocritical" by the government.
If the SNP bands together with Labour and the 20 or more Conservatives backbenchers opposed to the plans it could defeat the government in the Commons vote - expected between 17.30 and 18.00 GMT.If the SNP bands together with Labour and the 20 or more Conservatives backbenchers opposed to the plans it could defeat the government in the Commons vote - expected between 17.30 and 18.00 GMT.
The Lib Dems have been given a free vote - with their eight MPs expected to be split 50/50 on the issue.
The government offered to introduce the changes on a pilot basis in 12 areas, and conduct a review after a year, in the hope of averting a possible defeat. But an amendment put forward by ministers promising this has reportedly not been chosen for debate by the Commons Speaker.The government offered to introduce the changes on a pilot basis in 12 areas, and conduct a review after a year, in the hope of averting a possible defeat. But an amendment put forward by ministers promising this has reportedly not been chosen for debate by the Commons Speaker.
The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said ministers had tabled their "compromise" amendment to the Enterprise Bill too late to be considered.
Pilot ideaPilot idea
Conservative MP David Burrowes, who is among those planning to vote against the changes, has said the government is looking at concessions to placate concerned MPs over Sunday trading. Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, David Burrowes, who is among those planning to vote against the changes, said he was sorry that it had come to this, given that the PM had ruled out changes to existing Sunday laws during the general election campaign.
He said he welcomed the fact ministers were taking the concerns of Conservative MPs seriously but said his colleagues still "need a lot of convincing" He said Sunday trading hours were "an issue of conscience" and challenged the need for the shake-up, saying retailers believed "sorting out parking and business rates" was more important for regenerating High Streets.
Sunday trading hours were "an issue of conscience", he said, adding that many MPs believe the current rules to be a "decent compromise" "Why are we trying to unpick something which is fairly settled?" he said.
The proposed Sunday trading changes are not covered by new English Votes for English Laws provisions because other parts of the Enterprise Bill apply to Scotland. "There are complex arrangements about Sunday trading and it is a duty on us to look at it carefully, consult on it widely and to scrutinise it fairly. None of those things have happened."
But Conservative MP for Newark, Robert Jenrick, said the public should be trusted to vote with their feet.
"It isn't actually the most complicated decision constituents will make in their lives," he said. "Shouldn't we trust our constituents to make wise decisions for them and their families?"
Extra pay
Labour is claiming it helped persuade the SNP to get behind their campaign to block the extension of Sunday trading.Labour is claiming it helped persuade the SNP to get behind their campaign to block the extension of Sunday trading.
Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said the government plans, which had not been mentioned in the Conservatives' election manifesto, would lead "to the gradual erosion and diminution of workers' pay and rights across the UK, including Scotland".Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said the government plans, which had not been mentioned in the Conservatives' election manifesto, would lead "to the gradual erosion and diminution of workers' pay and rights across the UK, including Scotland".
Extra pay The SNP's deputy leader Stewart Hosie said some Scottish workers were paid extra for working on Sundays and there were no guarantees these "premium pay" rates, worth thousands of pounds a year, would be protected if hours were extended in other parts of the UK.
The SNP's deputy leader Stewart Hosie said Scottish workers were paid extra for working on Sundays and there were no guarantees these "premium pay" rates, worth thousands of pounds a year, would be protected if hours were extended in other parts of the UK.
"We are relying on guarantees or not from private businesses and that simply doesn't wash when we are talking about the incomes of perhaps a third of retail employees in Scotland.""We are relying on guarantees or not from private businesses and that simply doesn't wash when we are talking about the incomes of perhaps a third of retail employees in Scotland."
Conservative MP Grant Shapps, who has campaigned to relax Sunday trading laws, described the SNP's stance as "the most bizarre position I've ever heard".Conservative MP Grant Shapps, who has campaigned to relax Sunday trading laws, described the SNP's stance as "the most bizarre position I've ever heard".
Mr Shapps said the Bill offered additional protections for workers, for example by reducing the amount of notice they need to give if they do not want to work on a Sunday, and he expected that businesses "may well find they have to pay a premium" to staff working during the extended hours.Mr Shapps said the Bill offered additional protections for workers, for example by reducing the amount of notice they need to give if they do not want to work on a Sunday, and he expected that businesses "may well find they have to pay a premium" to staff working during the extended hours.
Mr Shapps told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's two decades since these rules were first set. The internet hadn't even been invented at the time.
"We've now got a situation where people can get shopping delivered on a Sunday but you can't go into a shop and buy. It's a bit ridiculous and it's time to update these rules."
'Toxic' issue'Toxic' issue
The Lib Dems have been given a free vote - with their eight MPs expected to be split 50/50 on the issue.
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said Sunday trading had long been a "toxic" issue for the Conservatives, causing a rare Commons defeat for Margaret Thatcher in 1986, when 72 Tory MPs rebelled against plans to relax restrictions - although it was knocked off the front pages by US air strikes on Libya launched from UK bases. Read more from James.BBC deputy political editor James Landale said Sunday trading had long been a "toxic" issue for the Conservatives, causing a rare Commons defeat for Margaret Thatcher in 1986, when 72 Tory MPs rebelled against plans to relax restrictions - although it was knocked off the front pages by US air strikes on Libya launched from UK bases. Read more from James.
Since 1994, small shops - those up to 280 sq m, or 3,000 sq ft in size - in England and Wales can open when they want to on Sundays but larger stores are restricted to six hours between 10:00 and 18:00. Retailers can be fined up to £50,000 if they break the rules.Since 1994, small shops - those up to 280 sq m, or 3,000 sq ft in size - in England and Wales can open when they want to on Sundays but larger stores are restricted to six hours between 10:00 and 18:00. Retailers can be fined up to £50,000 if they break the rules.
Ministers want to give the 353 councils in England and 22 in Wales the freedom to determine opening hours in their area, arguing the move is in line with changing leisure and working patterns.Ministers want to give the 353 councils in England and 22 in Wales the freedom to determine opening hours in their area, arguing the move is in line with changing leisure and working patterns.
Ahead of Wednesday's vote, 102 Conservative councillors voiced their support for the move urging the government to "continue with proposals to localise these decisions and help us deliver what is best for our local communities".Ahead of Wednesday's vote, 102 Conservative councillors voiced their support for the move urging the government to "continue with proposals to localise these decisions and help us deliver what is best for our local communities".
But critics have challenged the economic rationale for relaxing the laws and arguing that Sunday should be "kept special" for family time and other pursuits, including Church going and other forms of religious observance.But critics have challenged the economic rationale for relaxing the laws and arguing that Sunday should be "kept special" for family time and other pursuits, including Church going and other forms of religious observance.