Scottish Grocers’ Federation have welcomed the decision by the Scottish government that it will support the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill.

The Stage One vote is set to take place on Thursday, 24th September, where MSPs will decide on the whether to accept the general principles of the Bill.

Brought forward by Edinburgh South MSP Daniel Johnson, the proposed Bill will give shop staff additional legal protection when carrying out their work.

This will particularly cover assault or abuse in relation to a mandatory activity such as requesting ID for age restricted products.

Should the Bill move forward to Stage Two – it will undergo detailed scrutiny and debate with any potential amendments also being considered.

Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, said: “I’m delighted to see the Scottish Government have agreed to support my Bill at stage one next week, adding their backing to this important issue along with Trade Unions and retail groups across the country.

“Dialogue with ministers in recent weeks has been useful in identifying understanding on this important issue.”

“Passing my bill into law will provide an important recognition of the key duty shopworkers have upholding the law and the issues they face doing so.

“Most critically, the pandemic has seen people working in retail performing critical roles, supplying the basic essentials to all of us and keeping us safe as we do so. This bill pays an important tribute to these efforts over the last six months.”

SGF policy manager Luke McGarty said: “We are delighted that the Scottish government in a letter to the Scottish Parliaments’ Justice Committee has announced its intention to support the Protection of Workers Bill at the forthcoming Stage One vote.

“Serious in-store retail crime is not going away and impacts on retailers, their staff, their families, customers and the wider community. The Bill represents a unique – perhaps a once in a generation – opportunity to create a safer retail environment.

“SGF is fully behind the Bill and is a crucial step in the right direction and we urge MSPs to support it.”

In June the Scottish Parliament Economy Committee recommended unanimously that MSPs should support the general principles of the Protection of Workers Bill.

SGF has supported the Bill throughout the parliamentary process and said they will continue to make the case to Scottish government ministers.