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Labour proposes new tax on bookmakers Labour proposes new tax on bookmakers
(about 7 hours later)
Labour says it would consider forcing bookmakers to pay a levy to help treat problem gamblers.Labour says it would consider forcing bookmakers to pay a levy to help treat problem gamblers.
Deputy leader Tom Watson will say the cash would be used for NHS treatment and to end the "destructive cycle of addiction".Deputy leader Tom Watson will say the cash would be used for NHS treatment and to end the "destructive cycle of addiction".
Speaking at the party conference in Brighton, he will announce a review of the extent of the problem.Speaking at the party conference in Brighton, he will announce a review of the extent of the problem.
Meanwhile, Labour will also call on the government to spend an extra £500m on a winter bailout fund for the NHS.Meanwhile, Labour will also call on the government to spend an extra £500m on a winter bailout fund for the NHS.
The Association of British Bookmakers has said it would not oppose an "appropriate, compulsory levy" to fund problem gambling treatment.The Association of British Bookmakers has said it would not oppose an "appropriate, compulsory levy" to fund problem gambling treatment.
Labour has vowed to tackle Britain's "hidden epidemic of gambling addiction", and earlier this month proposed a ban on adverts for betting firms on football shirts.Labour has vowed to tackle Britain's "hidden epidemic of gambling addiction", and earlier this month proposed a ban on adverts for betting firms on football shirts.
Mr Watson will return to the theme in his speech to delegates on Tuesday, saying some companies are "deliberately targeting our poorest communities even as hundreds of thousands of lives are ruined by addiction".Mr Watson will return to the theme in his speech to delegates on Tuesday, saying some companies are "deliberately targeting our poorest communities even as hundreds of thousands of lives are ruined by addiction".
"Gambling addiction is an illness and it's about time it was taken seriously," he will say."Gambling addiction is an illness and it's about time it was taken seriously," he will say.
Labour's review will also examine the ability of the NHS to offer mental health services to gambling addicts.Labour's review will also examine the ability of the NHS to offer mental health services to gambling addicts.
A 2015 report by the Gambling Commission estimated number of "problem gamblers" between from 300,000 to 430,000 people.A 2015 report by the Gambling Commission estimated number of "problem gamblers" between from 300,000 to 430,000 people.
It defined this as "gambling to a degree that compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal or recreational pursuits".It defined this as "gambling to a degree that compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal or recreational pursuits".
Currently, gambling companies make voluntary contributions to the charity GambleAware to help pay for education, research, and treating gambling addiction.Currently, gambling companies make voluntary contributions to the charity GambleAware to help pay for education, research, and treating gambling addiction.
Labour will consider replacing this with a compulsory system.Labour will consider replacing this with a compulsory system.
The Association of British Bookmakers said it backed an "evidence-based approach to helping problem gambling in the UK and would support Mr Watson's idea of a review, if it facilitated this".The Association of British Bookmakers said it backed an "evidence-based approach to helping problem gambling in the UK and would support Mr Watson's idea of a review, if it facilitated this".
A spokesman added: "We also would not oppose an appropriate, compulsory levy on the gambling industry to fund problem gambling treatment, as we have long argued that the gambling industry needs to work together to reduce the number of problem gamblers and address the fact that most problem gamblers move between different forms of gambling."A spokesman added: "We also would not oppose an appropriate, compulsory levy on the gambling industry to fund problem gambling treatment, as we have long argued that the gambling industry needs to work together to reduce the number of problem gamblers and address the fact that most problem gamblers move between different forms of gambling."
Also on day three of Labour's conference in Brighton, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth will call for a £500m winter bailout for the NHS.Also on day three of Labour's conference in Brighton, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth will call for a £500m winter bailout for the NHS.
Mr Ashworth will tell delegates the prime minister must not stick her "head in the sand" because a "collapse" on the same scale as last year's winter crisis would lead to thousands of people waiting longer for A&E treatment.Mr Ashworth will tell delegates the prime minister must not stick her "head in the sand" because a "collapse" on the same scale as last year's winter crisis would lead to thousands of people waiting longer for A&E treatment.
Labour will say the extra money is needed to boost the capacity of hospitals, allow the NHS to hire extra non-agency staff and improve the transfer of patients to social care.Labour will say the extra money is needed to boost the capacity of hospitals, allow the NHS to hire extra non-agency staff and improve the transfer of patients to social care.
The party has pledged to boost spending on the NHS through a 5% hike in income tax for the highest earners and says a winter bailout could be paid for through this.The party has pledged to boost spending on the NHS through a 5% hike in income tax for the highest earners and says a winter bailout could be paid for through this.
The government said it has "robust plans in place" for winter which are supported by "an extra £100m for A&E departments and £2bn funding for the social care system".The government said it has "robust plans in place" for winter which are supported by "an extra £100m for A&E departments and £2bn funding for the social care system".
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