My Lords, this group of amendments introduces measures to strengthen rights for shop workers in England and Wales and in Scotland by amending the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Employment Act 2002.
We are no longer pursuing the devolution of powers to extend Sunday trading hours, which these measures were designed to complement.
3.30 pm
These amendments essentially make four changes. First, they reduce the notice period for shop workers at large shops to opt out of Sunday working altogether, from three months to one month. Secondly, they create a new right for shop workers to opt out of working additional Sunday hours, again subject to one month’s notice at large shops and three months at smaller shops. Thirdly, they update the obligation on employers to notify shop workers of these rights. This includes a duty to notify existing as well as new shop workers. Lastly, they strengthen the consequences for employers who fail to comply with the notification requirements. Under these measures, as well as having stronger opt-out rights, shop workers will be clearer about what those rights are, how to exercise them and what to do if they suffer retribution. I beg to move.