Lib Dems back move to defeat 'craven' Government over FOBT delay
Tuesday, 13 November 2018 12:20
The Liberal Democrats have today announced they will back a
cross-party amendment to the Finance Bill to ensure the maximum
stake for fixed-odds betting terminals are introduced within six
months. Speaking ahead of the vote next week, Liberal
Democrat Leader Vince Cable said: “A few months ago I was
approached by a mother who was distraught after her son had
committed suicide as a result of distress caused by debts that had
accrued from compulsive gambling. “There is...Request free trial
The Liberal Democrats have today announced they will back a
cross-party amendment to the Finance Bill to ensure the maximum
stake for fixed-odds betting terminals are introduced within six
months.
Speaking ahead of the vote next week, Liberal Democrat
Leader said:
“A few months ago I was approached by a mother who was
distraught after her son had committed suicide as a result of
distress caused by debts that had accrued from compulsive
gambling.
“There is now a network of grieving relatives who have been
brought together by the same dreadful experience. Like them, I want
the NHS to recognise gambling addiction as a serious mental health
condition. Preventive action is also needed including urgent steps
to curb some of the more exploitative practices like high stake
fixed-odds betting terminals.
“I and the Liberal Democrats will therefore work with others
to stop these abusive practices and introduce a crackdown as
promised. The Government has been utterly craven in
giving in to lobbying from the industry and must now back the
cross-party amendment or face defeat.”
Liberal Democrat Culture, Media & Sport Spokesperson in
the House of Commons, , added:
“Further delays are causing more and more vulnerable people
to face financial stress, mental health problems and
worse.
“It doesn’t need to be this way. Liberal Democrats demand
better, which is why we have been calling for the maximum stake to
be reduced to £2 for nearly a decade.
“The Tories have already taken too long to act, now they are
kicking it into the long grass. It simply isn’t good
enough.”
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
The amendment reads below. More information on the Finance
Bill can be found here.
Clause 61, page 44, line 23,
leave out “1 October 2019” and insert “the
prescribed date".
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