Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has criticised the Government for its failure to support Bingo Halls in Devon and around the UK. Following the decision by the Government to increase tax on bingo from 15 to 22% and the Tories decision to abstain on the issue, the Liberal Democrats have stuck to their defence of the bingo industry in the face of increasing bingo club closures.
There are currently fewer than 600 bingo clubs in the UK. Over 60 have closed in the last two years. The situation for many of the others is bleak. While factors such as the smoking ban have played a part in the decline, the main concern is taxation.
Adrian voted against the rise in bingo duty in the recent Finance Bill debate and is now supporting a petition calling for the Government to reverse its position. He is encouraging other Bingo enthusiasts to sign the petition and help put pressure on the Government.
Adrian said: “I know many Torbay residents enjoy Bingo and Devon’s bingo clubs are an important part of our local communities and economies. While the Government needs to raise money to reduce the massive public debt it has created, unfairly devastating the bingo industry is not part of the answer.”
Petition page: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Bingoplayers/
Thank you for your comment. The petition is online at:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Bingoplayers/
Posted by: Adrian | 20/08/2009 at 09:42 AM
Please tell me where the petition to support the bingo industry is?
Posted by: Anthony Vines | 20/08/2009 at 09:33 AM