Union claims 95 per cent of shopworkers opposed to relaxation of existing laws
Tony Blair has agreed to listen to retail workers' union Usdaw's case against extending shopping hours on Sunday.

Speaking at Usdaw's annual conference in Blackpool, the Prime Minister pledged to meet Usdaw general secretary John Hannett to discuss possible changes to the Sunday Trading Act.

Hannett said: 'I am delighted that the Prime Minister has agreed to meet me to listen carefully to our strong, evidence-based case against changing the existing and perfectly workable arrangements. I'll be making the case very strongly on behalf of our members that six hours is long enough.'

Usdaw also welcomed trade minister Gerry Sutcliffe's commitment to putting any proposals to extend Sunday trading hours to a full parliamentary vote.

Also speaking at the annual conference, Sutcliffe quashed rumours that the Government would use a regulatory reform order to make changes to the current Sunday trading laws.

Hannett said: 'A commitment to putting this issue before Parliament is a massive step forward for our vigorous campaign against this proposal. We've already secured the support of 239 MPs from all parties who have signed an Early Day Motion opposing more Sunday shopping hours. We believe this support from across the political spectrum shows the massive strength of feeling on the backbenches.'

Members across the country are sending Save Our Sundays postcards to their MPs. In an Usdaw survey, 95 per cent of shopworkers said they were opposed to a relaxation of Sunday trading laws.