Sunday trading fails government ‘family test’

The latest findings into Sunday trading have revealed that relaxtion of laws will breach the Government’s own family test regulations.

Under the Government’s own rules, all new policies must be subjected to five questions under the family test to ensure the law puts “family perspective at the heart of policy” and “to help reduce the cost of social problems and build a secure economy for future generations.”

But according to research commissioned by the ACS with independent think tank, Social Market Foundation, the Conservatives have failed to apply the test – posing a risk to family life.

In 2014, David Cameron said: “every single domestic policy that government comes up with will be examined for its impact on the family.

That’s my commitment to you – the people who do so much to help families stay together in our country.”

Key findings include:

• The proposals are likely to increase the amount of overtime for people working in retail – who already work some of the longest hours and weekends.
• More than 75% of parents’ report that work impinges on the time they could spend with their children, such as helping with homework or putting them to bed, and only 25% are content with their work/life balance.
• Despite there being some legal protection allowing workers to opt out of working on Sundays, the changes will increase pressure on workers to do more hours.
• The Government’s own 2006 study, which sets out the benefits of longer Sunday trading hours, suggests that the ‘greater convenience’ would save families just two minutes per week.

Emran Mian, director of the Social Market Foundation, said: “Retail is already a sector where staff are working atypical hours, and working for longer on Sundays will hurt families by stopping them from spending time together.”

To voice your views on Sunday trading, go the Government website before the consultation closes today, September 16.