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Sunday trading defeat for government as MPs reject changes Sunday trading defeat for government as MPs reject changes
(35 minutes later)
MPs have rejected the government's plans to overhaul Sunday trading laws.MPs have rejected the government's plans to overhaul Sunday trading laws.
Plans to allow English and Welsh councils to extend opening hours were defeated in the Commons by 317 votes to 286, as 27 Conservatives rebelled.Plans to allow English and Welsh councils to extend opening hours were defeated in the Commons by 317 votes to 286, as 27 Conservatives rebelled.
Ministers had sought to avert the rebellion by promising to trial the changes in 12 areas and review their impact after a year.Ministers had sought to avert the rebellion by promising to trial the changes in 12 areas and review their impact after a year.
But critics said the plans would "chip away" at Sunday's special status and put undue pressure on workers.But critics said the plans would "chip away" at Sunday's special status and put undue pressure on workers.
It is the Conservative government's second defeat in the House of Commons since it was elected last May.It is the Conservative government's second defeat in the House of Commons since it was elected last May.
'Tawdry''Tawdry'
After MPs opposed relaxing existing restrictions on Sunday trading laws - which limit large shops to opening for a maximum of six hours - Labour challenged Chancellor George Osborne to "respect the will of the House" and "abandon the tawdry attempts" to make the changes.After MPs opposed relaxing existing restrictions on Sunday trading laws - which limit large shops to opening for a maximum of six hours - Labour challenged Chancellor George Osborne to "respect the will of the House" and "abandon the tawdry attempts" to make the changes.
"The House has spoken on this very contentious issue of Sunday trading laws which would have affected millions of workers," shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said."The House has spoken on this very contentious issue of Sunday trading laws which would have affected millions of workers," shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said.
List of Conservative MPs who voted against the governmentList of Conservative MPs who voted against the government
Before the defeat, ministers indicated they would seek to amend their proposals in the House of Lords if MPs approved them in principle. But afterwards they said they would not be resurrected. Before the vote, ministers indicated they would seek to amend their proposals in the House of Lords if MPs approved them in principle. But while blaming the SNP for the defeat, ministers conceded afterwards the plans would not be resurrected.
The BBC's chief political correspondent Vicki Young said the Conservative leadership was angry with the SNP for opposing freedoms which are already available in Scotland, where there are no limits on how long shops can open. "We respect the view of the House of Parliament. The Commons has spoken and given a very clear view - we have to absolutely respect that," said the planning minister Brandon Lewis.
But she said the measure would have passed if the Conservatives were united.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs: "Of course we always listen to the will of this House, but England and Wales MPs voted for this motion and it was denied to them by the SNP.
"I'm disappointed at the childish and hypocritical SNP. Not only do they wish to deny Sunday shopping to those in England and Wales. They want to devolve matters; they oppose a motion to do just that."
'Dead hand''Dead hand'
In the biggest proposed shake-up for 20 years, ministers wanted to give the 353 councils in England and 22 in Wales the freedom to determine opening hours for large shops in their area.In the biggest proposed shake-up for 20 years, ministers wanted to give the 353 councils in England and 22 in Wales the freedom to determine opening hours for large shops in their area.
But the plans were opposed by Labour and the SNP, while more than 20 Conservatives MPs were also expected to defy the government. But the plans were opposed by Labour and the SNP while a succession of Conservative MPs spoke out against the changes - first announced by Mr Osborne in last year's Budget - and the way they were being introduced.
During a three-hour Commons debate, a succession of Conservative MPs spoke out against the changes - first announced by Mr Osborne in last year's Budget - and the way they were being introduced. Analysis by the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg
The reason the government lost by such a margin was not just because of staunch opposition from the Labour Party with its 'Keep Sunday Special' campaign, or the principled opposition from many Tory MPs who believe fervently that Sundays are indeed special and should be protected.
The government also lost because the SNP objected to their plans, even though in Scotland shops have opened for longer on Sundays for many years.
It is an embarrassing defeat for the government and particularly George Osborne, who must deliver the Budget a week today. But the SNP's involvement could have a longer term impact. Read more from Laura
Sir Gerald Howarth said the late offer of concessions had been "shambolic" and looked like they had been "delivered by lastminute.com" while Stewart Jackson said the "dead hand" of the Treasury was responsible for an "egregious and unnecessary confrontation" with Tory backbenchers.Sir Gerald Howarth said the late offer of concessions had been "shambolic" and looked like they had been "delivered by lastminute.com" while Stewart Jackson said the "dead hand" of the Treasury was responsible for an "egregious and unnecessary confrontation" with Tory backbenchers.
Conservative MP David Burrowes, who tabled the successful rebel amendment, said the government had not made the economic case for such sweeping changes, which he said were opposed by businesses of all sizes, shop workers and faith groups.Conservative MP David Burrowes, who tabled the successful rebel amendment, said the government had not made the economic case for such sweeping changes, which he said were opposed by businesses of all sizes, shop workers and faith groups.
Speaking after the vote, he told BBC News of his "relief", adding: "The main thing out there is relief for shopworkers, families and businesses who will really be pleased today."Speaking after the vote, he told BBC News of his "relief", adding: "The main thing out there is relief for shopworkers, families and businesses who will really be pleased today."
Prospects of making the change in the current legislation were "dead" he said, saying the government had "very belatedly" come up with the compromise of piloting the changes which would be looked at. The Federation of Small Businesses said the outcome was a "major win" for its members.
"Our members have been unconvinced of the economic case for relaxing Sunday trading rules and there has been no impact assessment to support the proposals," said the group's policy director Mike Cherry.
"The current system can be seen as a great British compromise which allows families to spend time together, employees to work if they wish to, and provides much needed support for smaller retailers within their communities."
The proposed changes were not covered by new English Votes for English Laws provisions, which require the explicit consent of English and Welsh MPs for measures exclusively affecting them, because other parts of the Enterprise Bill apply to Scotland.The proposed changes were not covered by new English Votes for English Laws provisions, which require the explicit consent of English and Welsh MPs for measures exclusively affecting them, because other parts of the Enterprise Bill apply to Scotland.