Retail bosses demand more protection for UK workers

Retail leaders are urging the UK government to follow Scotland’s example in extending new protections for shop workers.

The Protection of Workers Act comes into force in Scotland on Tuesday, which makes assaulting or abusing retail staff a standalone offence.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and union Usdaw want similar rules to be introduced across the rest of the UK.

BRC boss Helen Dickinson said “enough is enough”.

“It is incomprehensible that despite Holyrood’s decisive action, the UK government has so far failed to provide the same protections to shop workers in the rest of the UK,” the head of the trade group said.

Ms Dickinson added that the BRC would “not stop until our asks are met”.

The new Scottish law, which was passed unanimously, will also see tougher sentences for perpetrators.

Usdaw is also calling on the government to bring forward an amendment to extend the same protections to retail staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when its policing bill goes to the House of Lords for a second reading in September.

Its general secretary, Paddy Lillis, said shop workers face “violence, threats and abuse” on a regular basis.

This has been exacerbated by staff being asked to enforce Covid-related measures such as social distancing or mask-wearing during the pandemic, Usdaw said.

Agencies