Reform issues major statement on Sunday opening hours at Tesco and Sainsbury’s | Politics | News

Nigel Farage’s deputy leader said he did not see why current Sunday trading rules should change after rumors the Government was considering tweaking them. Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, told the Express: “I am opposed to changing market trading laws as they currently stand. They have been around for decades and I see no reason to change them.” Mr Tice has hinted that he will become Chancellor if his party wins the next general election in 2029.

Meanwhile, Reform board member Gawain Towler added: “It won’t stimulate the economy. It will just make life harder for small businesses.” He added: “The rules are in place for a reason.” Mr Towler said larger stores had a competitive advantage, meaning that for now the UK had “reached a reasonable balance” and stressed that while customers could now access stores, this was “not another pressure on small businesses”.

Nigel Farage’s former right-hand man warned the Treasury could change its mind when he was quoted as saying the Treasury had no plans to change the rules.

He said: “How many times have we heard this?

“I have great confidence in my Chancellor of the Exchequer.”

The reform is currently leading the polls with up to 35% of the vote.

A major poll in September found Mr Farage was on course to become Prime Minister.

The government previously told the Express: “This pro-business government is creating a fairer business rates system to protect the high street, support investment and level the playing field, and we plan to introduce a permanently lower business rates multiplier for retail properties from next year.

“The government is not planning to change trading rules on Sunday.”

This happened after it was reported by. General store He said ministers put forward the idea of ​​reform.

A senior source told the website that the idea of ​​”looking again” at the law had been floated by Treasury sources as part of a wider discussion about business rates and measures to help retailers.

They added that there are “no definitive plans” in place at this time.

According to current regulations, small shops under 280 square meters can trade freely on Sundays.

However, major stores, including supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose, are only allowed to open for a six-hour period between 10am and 6pm.

Opponents of any change to the status quo argue that allowing shops to remain open for the normal period would harm workers and small businesses and deprive Brits of valuable time and rest with their families and loved ones.

But regulation advocates argue that the economy is “stagnating” and argue that a changing society means the way things currently work is becoming obsolete.