West End could be set for £280m Sunday trading boost

The West End could be in for a £280 million boost after Scottish MPs signalled they may now back George Osborne’s proposal to relax Sunday trading rules.

The Chancellor’s plan looked doomed after some 20 Tory MPs said they would join opposition parties in voting against it. But the SNP has now indicated a change of heart, claiming ministers are addressing concerns about the effect on Scottish workers’ pay.

With SNP support the Government could win a vote regardless of the number of Conservative rebels.

The news was welcomed by the New West End Company, which represents shops in the West End and Knightsbridge. Chief Executive Jace Tyrrell said it may mean an extra £280 million in sales and 2,000 more jobs.

However, the SNP’s potential change of position on the Commons vote due for March 8 was met with dismay by Tory critics.

Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes said the SNP should be “consistent” in opposing the reforms as “nothing has really changed since their opposition in November”.

Existing laws allow smaller shops to open all day on a Sunday but restrict to six hours those with a floor space of more than 3,000 sq ft.

SNP business spokeswoman Hannah Bardell said: “The SNP welcome the provision for additional employee protections the Government has brought forward.”