FOBT climb down shows the disastrous political judgement of Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright and Chancellor Philip Hammond - Tom Watson

Tom Watson MP, Labour’s Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, commenting on the Government’s climb down on the FOBTs stakes delay, said:

“This climb down shows the disastrous political judgement of Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright and Chancellor Philip Hammond.

“It’s very sad that it took an honourable resignation of a good minister and a cross party revolt to achieve the blindingly obvious and necessary reforms to Fixed Odds Betting Terminals.

“Whilst this is a personal humiliation for Jeremy Wright, this is a very good day for the many thousands of people whose families and communities are blighted by gambling addiction.

“Labour is proud to be part of a cross party campaign to reform our gambling laws and we will continue to campaign for further improvements to regulation in the sector.”