LGA responds to Sunday trading laws announcement

"It is right that councils, in consultation with their residents and local businesses, should be given the flexibility to decide how to drive growth and best attract business to their local high street, and this includes the relaxation of Sunday trading laws. However, it's vital that, as the Government has previously indicated, any changes are a 'can do' choice rather than a 'must do' duty imposed by central government."It's now vital that government ensures any proposals allow councils to meet the needs of their communities without undue restriction or unnecessary bureaucracy."Councils will continue to come forward with ambitious devolution proposals over the coming year in order to make public spending on local services more accountable to local people. Taking decisions closer to where people live stands to bring significant economic and social benefits and is the most effective way to create jobs, build homes, strengthen healthy communities and protect the vulnerable across all parts of the country."