Changing Sunday Opening hours was a major point in the first exclusively tory budget in 18 years. Independent Retailers are facing going toe to toe with bigger stores since it was announced that Sunday trading hours could be extended by local authorities and mayors.

Currently big stores are limited to Sunday trading hours of 6 hours, however, with the recent announcement this could change dramatically. The reason for this change is to stimulate the economy and compete with internet retailers who can trade 24/7. Big stores being retail spaces covering more than 3,000 sq ft or 280 square metres.

George Osborne delivered the first all-Conservative budget on Wednesday 8^th July. This was the first all-conservative budget since Kenneth Clarke’s in November 1996. Without Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats, Mr Osborne was in complete control of cuts and tax breaks. According to the Chancellor, the Budget is ‘bold in building aspirations for working people’.

The summer 2015 budget also sees the personal tax allowance raise to £12,500. The current minimum wage is being overhauled by the National Living Wage, set to be rolled out at £9 per hour by 2020 for people over 25. Public sector pay will remain frozen at a 1% rise over the next four years. Fuel duty is also frozen for another year. The Budget contained £12 million worth of welfare cuts, seeing child and disability benefits the biggest hit.