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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/14/government-u-turn-expected-on-fobt-maximum-stake
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| Government makes U-turn over delay to £2 FOBT maximum stake | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A cut in the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will be brought forward to April 2019 after the government backed down in the face of a growing rebellion that made allies of MPs across the political spectrum. | A cut in the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will be brought forward to April 2019 after the government backed down in the face of a growing rebellion that made allies of MPs across the political spectrum. |
| The chancellor, Philip Hammond, said in the budget that a reduction in FOBT stakes from £100 to £2 would not take effect until October next year, a decision that handed bookmakers a £900m windfall and triggered the resignation of the sports minister, Tracey Crouch. | The chancellor, Philip Hammond, said in the budget that a reduction in FOBT stakes from £100 to £2 would not take effect until October next year, a decision that handed bookmakers a £900m windfall and triggered the resignation of the sports minister, Tracey Crouch. |
| However, after days of speculation about a U-turn, the culture secretary, Jeremy Wright issued a written statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming that the stake reduction would take place six months earlier. | However, after days of speculation about a U-turn, the culture secretary, Jeremy Wright issued a written statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming that the stake reduction would take place six months earlier. |
| “The government has been clear that protecting vulnerable people is the prime concern, but that as a responsible government it is also right to take the needs of those employed by the gambling industry into account and provide time for an orderly transition,” the written statement said. | “The government has been clear that protecting vulnerable people is the prime concern, but that as a responsible government it is also right to take the needs of those employed by the gambling industry into account and provide time for an orderly transition,” the written statement said. |
| “Parliament has, however, been clear that they want this change to be made sooner. The government has listened and will now implement the reduction in April 2019.” | “Parliament has, however, been clear that they want this change to be made sooner. The government has listened and will now implement the reduction in April 2019.” |
| An increase in taxes on online casinos from 15% to 21%, designed to make up the tax shortfall from the restrictions on FOBTs, will come in at the same time. | An increase in taxes on online casinos from 15% to 21%, designed to make up the tax shortfall from the restrictions on FOBTs, will come in at the same time. |
| The Labour deputy leader and shadow culture minister, Tom Watson, said: “This climbdown shows the disastrous political judgment of Jeremy Wright and Philip Hammond. | The Labour deputy leader and shadow culture minister, Tom Watson, said: “This climbdown shows the disastrous political judgment of Jeremy Wright and 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 FOBTs. | “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 FOBTs. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| Theresa May signalled the potential climbdown during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, in response to a question from the former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith. | Theresa May signalled the potential climbdown during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, in response to a question from the former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith. |
| The prime minister said she recognised the strength of feeling on the issue and that Wright would be setting out further details later on Wednesday. | The prime minister said she recognised the strength of feeling on the issue and that Wright would be setting out further details later on Wednesday. |
| Earlier, Whitehall sources said MPs involved in efforts to bring the date forward had privately been told a change of policy was imminent. | Earlier, Whitehall sources said MPs involved in efforts to bring the date forward had privately been told a change of policy was imminent. |
| The volte-face comes less than 24 hours after Whitehall sources said the Treasury was holding firm in the face of a cross-party rebellion that left the government facing the prospect of being the first to suffer a defeat on its own budget bill since 1978. | The volte-face comes less than 24 hours after Whitehall sources said the Treasury was holding firm in the face of a cross-party rebellion that left the government facing the prospect of being the first to suffer a defeat on its own budget bill since 1978. |
| More than 100 MPs – including senior Tory rebels such as Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and David Davis – had put their names to an amendment designed to force the government to bring forward the stake reduction. | More than 100 MPs – including senior Tory rebels such as Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and David Davis – had put their names to an amendment designed to force the government to bring forward the stake reduction. |
| Labour said it would support the amendment, meaning the government was all but certain to lose a vote that was expected to take place next week. | Labour said it would support the amendment, meaning the government was all but certain to lose a vote that was expected to take place next week. |
| The final straw is thought to have been a letter sent to the chief whip, Julian Smith, on Tuesday night by 12 parliamentary private secretaries – senior MPs who work for ministers. | The final straw is thought to have been a letter sent to the chief whip, Julian Smith, on Tuesday night by 12 parliamentary private secretaries – senior MPs who work for ministers. |
| They are understood to have urged the government to change course and avoid a needless and embarrassing defeat, particularly given that fraught negotiations over Theresa May’s Brexit deal are happening at the same time. | They are understood to have urged the government to change course and avoid a needless and embarrassing defeat, particularly given that fraught negotiations over Theresa May’s Brexit deal are happening at the same time. |
| Matt Zarb-Cousin, spokesman for campaign group Fairer Gambling, said it had been “nonsensical” for the government to label FOBTs a “social blight” and allow them to continue collecting gamblers’ cash for 18 months after the decision was made to curb them last May. | Matt Zarb-Cousin, spokesman for campaign group Fairer Gambling, said it had been “nonsensical” for the government to label FOBTs a “social blight” and allow them to continue collecting gamblers’ cash for 18 months after the decision was made to curb them last May. |
| He said the government had been forced into a U-turn by Crouch’s resignation, saying she “deserves the highest praise”. | He said the government had been forced into a U-turn by Crouch’s resignation, saying she “deserves the highest praise”. |
| “Lives will be saved and families won’t be torn apart as a result of this policy.” | “Lives will be saved and families won’t be torn apart as a result of this policy.” |
| Fixed-odds betting terminals | Fixed-odds betting terminals |
| Gambling | Gambling |
| Philip Hammond | Philip Hammond |
| Boris Johnson | Boris Johnson |
| Jacob Rees-Mogg | Jacob Rees-Mogg |
| David Davis | David Davis |
| news | news |
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