MPs in the Commons rejected proposals to allow councils to extend opening hours on Sundays for larger retailers yesterday.
It came despite ministers seeking to limit rebellions by saying they would trial the changes in 12 areas. In the end, 317 voted against the changes and 286 for.

Critics of the plans have said it would put pressure on workers, make it harder for smaller retailers - for whom the restrictions don't apply - to compete and would "chip away" at Sunday's special status.

If it had gone through, the Enterprise Bill would have given the 353 councils in England and 22 in Wales the power to relax the rules restricting larger retailers to open for a maximum of six hours on a Sunday. Members of the Labour, SNP and Tory backbenchers united to oppose the plans.

Read more in the March 18 issue of DIY Week.