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Sunday trading laws could be scrapped for a year to help the economy recover from the coronavirus crisis.
Supermarket bosses have previously urged the government to relax the legislation — which limits larger shops to only serving customers for six hours on Sundays — to ease queues and overcrowding.
And it appears their calls have been answered, as Downing Street is said to be drawing up plans to extend trading hours as part of a package of measures to revive the economy.
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Boris Johnson and his chief adviser Dominic Cummings are said to be on board with the plans, according to The Times, but there are concerns more traditionalist MPs may not be.
The newspaper also reports the current 28-day statutory consultation period could be scrapped to give cafes and pubs fast-track approval to serve food and drink outside.
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Agnetha Septimus, Matthew Septimus, and children Ezra and Nora
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Husband and wife filmmakers, Claire Ince and Ancil McKain pose for a portrait for the series by Shutterstock Staff Photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York
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Khadijah Silver and son Eliot
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Anna Beth Rousakis and daughter Mary Rousakis
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Mike Pergola and Denise Pergola with children Henry, Jack, and Will
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Artist Shirley Fuerst
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Jean Davis and Danny Rosenthal, with children Simone, Naomi, and Leah
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Robert E Clark Jr
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Lisa Draho and Josh Zuckerman, with children Ruby and Ava
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Professor and activist Dr Kristin Lawler
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Tom Smith and Laura Ross, with daughters Caroline, Elizabeth, and Abigail
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Callie Lovekin and Lucas Lovekin
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Agnetha Septimus, Matthew Septimus, and children Ezra and Nora
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Husband and wife filmmakers, Claire Ince and Ancil McKain pose for a portrait for the series by Shutterstock Staff Photographer, Stephen Lovekin, shot around the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Khadijah Silver and son Eliot
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Anna Beth Rousakis and daughter Mary Rousakis
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Mike Pergola and Denise Pergola with children Henry, Jack, and Will
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Artist Shirley Fuerst
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Jean Davis and Danny Rosenthal, with children Simone, Naomi, and Leah
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Robert E Clark Jr
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Lisa Draho and Josh Zuckerman, with children Ruby and Ava
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Professor and activist Dr Kristin Lawler
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Tom Smith and Laura Ross, with daughters Caroline, Elizabeth, and Abigail
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
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Callie Lovekin and Lucas Lovekin
Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock
Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron attempted to extend Sunday trading hours in 2016 but abandoned the plans after suffering a crippling defeat in the House of Commons.
Planning restrictions could also be temporarily amended to make it easier for high street properties to change between retail and residential use, The Times reports.
All private and NHS dental practices in England will also be allowed to reopen from Monday for face-to-face care.
However they will have to implement infection prevention measures and have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, before considering opening to the public.
