MPs vote in favour of deregulating Sunday shopping

A majority of MPs are in favour of draft legislation to allow local councils to decide for themselves whether or not to allow shops to open on Sunday.


A motion drawn up by D66 and the green party GroenLinks is also supported by the VVD and Labour – the two parties currently in talks on forming a new coalition.
At the moment, shops in ‘non-tourist’ areas are allowed to open on 12 Sundays a year.
The three Christian parties and the Socialists oppose the move. The Christian parties are against Sunday shopping, arguing it should be a day of rest. The Socialists say it will hit small shops, who cannot afford to open on Sundays.
If the upper house of parliament also votes in favour, the new legislation will come into effect in July next year.
Do you support Sunday shopping, or will it hurt small shopkeepers? Have your say using the comment box below.

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