Alan Johnson, the trade and industry secretary, said it was “sensible” to consider the step after supermarket chains argued that Sunday was now their busiest day of the week. He has commissioned an analysis of the costs and benefits of the change, which would require legislation.

It would bring England and Wales into line with Scotland, where Sunday shopping hours are not restricted.

Under the current law, which was introduced in 1994, large shops can open for six hours on Sunday, usually opting for 10am to 4pm. Small shops and corner shops can open when they like.

It is likely that the government will not allow full liberalisation, opting instead for similar hours to bank holidays of 9am to 6pm.

“It’s been over a decade since the laws on Sunday trading were changed and we think it’s sensible to have a look at the costs and benefits of further deregulation,” said Johnson.

“We’re open-minded at the moment and will need to balance the views of business — small and big — and consumers, religious groups and employees before we take any decisions.”

Larger retailers, led by supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda, have been increasing the pressure on the Department of Trade and Industry to remove restrictions, which apply to stores covering more than 3,000 square feet.

There is likely to be opposition to further opening hours from the trade unions and Christian groups. Ministers hope, however, that with Sunday shopping now established as a big part of British culture, a proposal to allow extra hours will not be blocked by MPs.

They are likely to urge the unions, who are anxious their workers are not exploited, to back the move on the grounds that it could create more jobs. Plans put forward by John Major, the former Tory prime minister, to allow shops to open on Sundays sparked a vigorous debate. He wanted total deregulation but the compromise of six hours was reached after protests from religious leaders and campaigners for a traditional day of rest.

It is unlikely that the government will change the ban on large shops opening on Easter Sunday. Existing legislation also protects workers who do not wish to work on Sunday, forbidding them from being dismissed or made redundant on those grounds.

Other shops that are exempt from the restrictions include petrol stations, farms that sell their produce, and shops at airports and railways stations.

The shop workers’ union USDAW says that premium payments for Sunday working have been “remorselessly eroded” since 1994, and most stores now only pay weekday rates to Sunday staff.

Sunday opening remains severely restricted in most of Europe. In Germany only small bakers and convenience stores in railway stations and airports may open. In France most retailers are restricted to opening on five Sundays a year.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Phoebe Caldwell wins Times/Sternberg Award
• Raging against fake pop has its own pitfalls
• How a voice for everyone led to stalemate