The UK government has announced plans to allow Northern Ireland’s bingo halls and bookmakers to open on Sundays. It also said that it was launching plans for new employment rights to protect workers who do not wish to work on the day.

The new laws, if successful, could be implemented as early as 2008 and would allow bingo halls to open between 2pm and 11pm, and bookmakers between 10.30am and 6.30pm.

David Hanson MP, minister for social development, told the BBC that the changes were only proposals at this stage.

“Some betting and bingo club workers may not wish to work on a Sunday,” he said. There will now be a two-week consultation period for the public to oppose the plans.