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Festive shop holidays deal sought MSPs back festive shops shutdown
(about 23 hours later)
Scotland's Cabinet is trying to broker a deal to end a row over festive season holidays for shop workers. MSPs have voted overwhelmingly to shake-up shop opening hours over the festive season.
MSPs will vote on the issue later but the Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition executive remains divided. Large stores will have to close on Christmas Day but a behind-the-scenes deal could mean the closure order will not be extended to New Year's Day.
Labour MSP Karen Whitefield's member's bill would oblige large shops to close on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The member's bill, advanced by Labour's Karen Whitefield, won support in principle by 99 votes to 4.
Ministers are thought to be considering a voluntary code which would stress the rights of employees to decline to work on these "special" days. Deputy Justice Minister Johann Lamont said the bill could be amended later by MSPs to review the New Year provision.
The compromise allowed Lib Dems to support the bill in principle.
The retail trade and tourism organisations had argued that it was wrong to force stores to close on New Year's Day when Scotland was trying to attract international visitors at Hogmanay.
However, there was widespread support for the principle of making larger shops shut on Christmas Day.
New rightsNew rights
The compromise deal was brokered at Wednesday's cabinet meeting then later ratified by the two party groups.
Under the proposals put forward by Ms Whitefield, the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, shops of more than 3,000 sq ft (280 sq m) would be forced to close on both 25 December and 1 January.Under the proposals put forward by Ms Whitefield, the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, shops of more than 3,000 sq ft (280 sq m) would be forced to close on both 25 December and 1 January.
Smaller shops, restaurants, pubs, takeaways, registered pharmacies and shops within airports, railway stations, ports and motorway service stations would not be affected by the ban.Smaller shops, restaurants, pubs, takeaways, registered pharmacies and shops within airports, railway stations, ports and motorway service stations would not be affected by the ban.
BBC political editor Brian Taylor said many Labour MSPs liked the idea of new rights for workers - and giving something to the unions.
However, he said most Liberal Democrats thought the bill as it stood was anti-business.
Larger Scottish retailers haven't traditionally opened on 1 January but trading is always driven by customer demand Fiona MoriartyScottish Retail ConsortiumLarger Scottish retailers haven't traditionally opened on 1 January but trading is always driven by customer demand Fiona MoriartyScottish Retail Consortium
MSPs on the Justice 2 Committee narrowly voted in favour of the plans last week.MSPs on the Justice 2 Committee narrowly voted in favour of the plans last week.
It was backed by three Labour MSPs and Scottish Socialist leader Colin Fox.It was backed by three Labour MSPs and Scottish Socialist leader Colin Fox.
A Tory, a Nationalist and a Liberal Democrat, refused to support it.A Tory, a Nationalist and a Liberal Democrat, refused to support it.
The committee's deputy convener, Labour MSP Bill Butler, said both days were seen as "special days" on which people took time off to spend with their families and communities. Business leaders urged MSPs to reject the ban on New Year's Day trading.
Business chiefs at CBI Scotland have already written to the leaders of Scotland's main political parties, calling on them to reject moves to ban traders opening on New Year's Day. CBI Scotland's assistant director, David Lonsdale, said: "We are unconcerned about a ban on trading on Christmas Day.
Fiona Moriarty, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said that while shop bosses did not want to open on Christmas Day, they did not believe there was any popular support for a ban on New Year's Day trading. "However, where there is demand from customers then retail businesses should be free to choose to open on New Year's Day if they so wish.
She said: "Larger Scottish retailers haven't traditionally opened on 1 January but trading is always driven by customer demand and they shouldn't be prevented from reacting as that changes in the future." "Banning trading on New Year's Day would send out a message that Scotland is closed for business, at a time when strenuous efforts are being made to promote Scotland as a destination for visitors from the rest of the UK and overseas."