Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Lucy Powell

Wednesday 8th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

I agree with my hon. Friend that the Conservative party seems not to be taking any responsibility for things that are happening on its watch. Let me add some further evidence about deprivation—[Interruption.]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

Order. The hon. Lady will be brief, but she must be heard.

[Lucy Powell]

Forgive me, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I did think that the Conservatives were in government.

In my constituency, which is one of the most deprived in the country, £190 million was spent on these machines last year alone. That is more than the council spent on services in my constituency, and in one ward alone there are now 500 of these machines. What local councils need are more powers.