The SNP Will Block Tory Plans To Have English Shops Open Longer On Sundays

[Richard Hakluyt]

The whole argument is silly. If, say, neighboring regions lower their taxes, it does affect the Catalan economy and certainly I don't get to vote on that. That's how devolution is supposed to work, you know, the kind of thing SNP is supposed to support.

Cynical sells it short, imho.

but britain doesn't have a proper devolution. No proper english parliament (anymore) to vote on english things.

The population breakdown is like this :

England 53m
Scotland just over 5m
Wales 3m
Northern Ireland 1.8m

So the risk is that any English parliament would rapidly become completely dominant.

[Josquius]

There can never be an English parliament, it's a ridiculous idea that would do far more harm than good

[Gups]

On a different note, any Brits know what families are expected to be doing on Sunday after 5pm?

Watch Antiques Roadshow.

Have to say I have no problems getting groceries any day of the week. My local convenience supermarkets are open until at least 10 p.m. every day and the ethnic places longer.

I'm assuming you are talking about those random, often unnamed places that in New York I'd refer to as Bodegas (as opposed to the local versions of the chain supermarkets). I am not a fan of buying food from them.

Nope. I have a Sainsbury's, a Tescos and a Co-Op nearby. They are all open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m every day including Sundays.

But I'll go to the unnamed, random places if I have time. Quality is better, price is lower.

[garbon]

I'm wondering if it is related to a size of store thing as my colleague noted that hers is open late too. My Tesco Metro is only open 12-6 on Sunday.

I completely disagree with your latter bit. The rando places where I am have shit quality and prices are a little bit more expensive.

[garbon]

I'd back extending opening hours on Sunday in England but only if there are adequate time and a half provisions. I remember getting that on my first year of supermarket work then it was taken

I don't see why there should be time and a half for Sunday. It is just another day of the week. It isn't like most British people are lining up to go to church and this would prevent attendance.

[Richard Hakluyt]

It was double-time at a lot of employers back when I was a lad 

Competition to get Sunday overtime was fairly strong though, so that was probably overpaying.

Saturday and Sunday are not just normal days for everyone though, if you have children at school or play in a local football league or whatever then you want those days off.

[garbon]

I would say that Saturday is the prime retail shopping day.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Oh I'd certainly agree that if we are talking purely about retail then working Saturdays comes with the territory.

[Warspite]

I'm wondering if it is related to a size of store thing as my colleague noted that hers is open late too. My Tesco Metro is only open 12-6 on Sunday.

I completely disagree with your latter bit. The rando places where I am have shit quality and prices are a little bit more expensive.

Sunday trading laws apply differently to differently sized shops, yes. So superstores can't be open after 1700 on a Sunday.

[garbon]

My Tesco Metro is pretty small.

Maybe, as with the many churches of Angel, no one actually wants to grocery shop until 12pm. Church or hungover...

[Josquius]

I'd back extending opening hours on Sunday in England but only if there are adequate time and a half provisions. I remember getting that on my first year of supermarket work then it was taken

I don't see why there should be time and a half for Sunday. It is just another day of the week. It isn't like most British people are lining up to go to church and this would prevent attendance.

After my months of hell where I was forced to work every Saturday and sunday- it really isn't just another day of the week.
Having Wednesday off is no substitute for missing the weekend.

[MadImmortalMan]

Is it important enough to use the force of law to make it happen?

Normally, I'm fairly interventionist, but it just doesn't make sense to me here.