This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6426899.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
No shopping ban on New Year's Day Christmas Day shopping ban passed
(about 3 hours later)
MSPs have voted to ban large stores from opening on Christmas Day but they have rejected a ban for New Year's Day. MSPs have overwhelmingly approved a bill to ban large stores from opening on Christmas Day.
The compromise, engineered by the Scottish Executive at the last minute, angered many Labour MSPs and 12 of them voted against the amendment. However, a move to extend the ban to New Year's Day was defeated, provoking the largest revolt by Labour backbenchers ever seen at Holyrood.
It was the biggest backbench rebellion yet seen in the Scottish parliament. Labour MSP Karen Whitefield, who proposed the original bill, accepted a last minute Scottish Executive deal.
Labour MSP Karen Whitefield has been steering the member's bill through parliament for the past three years. She supported the executive amendment. This involved a code of practice to protect workers from undue pressure to work on New Year's Day.
Angry accusations
The executive was against a ban on big shops opening on New Year's Day, saying it would damage the tourist trade at Hogmanay.The executive was against a ban on big shops opening on New Year's Day, saying it would damage the tourist trade at Hogmanay.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson brought forward amendments which will introduce a code of practice to prevent managers putting pressure on their staff to work on New Year's Day. Motorway stations
She also promised a ban on New Year trading would be introduced if that code was broken. Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson assured Ms Whitefield that if the voluntary code did not work she would introduce an immediate ban on New Year trading.
That was enough for Ms Whitefield to support the compromise. The assurance was not enough to satisfy 12 Labour backbenchers.
But not for 12 other Labour MSPs who voted against the executive. They voted against the executive, a record revolt by the party's Scottish parliamentarians.
There have been angry accusations of another "last minute shambles" and a bill cut in half which would have little practical effect. In the end the Christmas-only ban was agreed by 100 votes to 17, with the Conservatives voting against.
The bill relates to shops more than 3,000sq ft in area.The bill relates to shops more than 3,000sq ft in area.
It will not affect smaller stores, restaurants, pubs and takeaways, while other exceptions would include motorway stations. It will not affect smaller stores, restaurants, pubs and takeaways, while other exemptions would include motorway stations.