Former general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), Lord (David) Davies of Coity, has re-introduced a USDAW-sponsored bill to prevent stores opening on Christmas day, therefore ensuring that workers do not have to work.

Lord Davies said: "I am very pleased to be supporting this campaign by promoting the Bill. It is a simple measure that seeks to correct an anomaly in the current law, which stops shops from opening on Christmas Day only when it falls on a Sunday.

"I don't believe shops should open on Christmas Day, regardless of what day of the week it falls and that is what my Bill aims to do. I am confident that Parliament will share my concerns and support the closing of this loophole."

The original bill (sponsored by Gywneth Dunwoody) reached its committee stage in the Commons but ran out of time.

House of Lords

First reading: October 17 2001 (HL Bill 13)

Second reading: November 7 2001

Committee: November 27 2001

Third reading: December 13 2001

House of Commons

First reading: December 13 2001 (HC Bill 118)