Debates between Wendy Morton and Stephanie Peacock during the 2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Wendy Morton and Stephanie Peacock
Thursday 28th November 2024

(3 weeks, 5 days ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Wendy Morton Portrait Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con)
- Hansard - -

3. Whether she has had recent representations from society lotteries on the potential merits of zero-rating those organisations under any future statutory levy on gambling operators.

Stephanie Peacock Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

As set out in a written ministerial statement yesterday, the Government will introduce a statutory levy on gambling operators, which was a commitment made as part of the gambling White Paper in 2023. Society lotteries will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%. I know that they are a vital fundraising tool for many charities, community groups and sports clubs up and down the country.

Wendy Morton Portrait Wendy Morton
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The Minister clearly recognises, as we all do, the contribution that society lotteries make to our constituencies through various organisations. Does she recognise that not-for-profit society lotteries will have to fund any levy due from their charitable return, which the sector, and I think many of us, feel amounts to a charity tax?

Stephanie Peacock Portrait Stephanie Peacock
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My understanding was that the levy came after the money had gone to good causes, but I am not the Gambling Minister, who sits in the other place. I will happily arrange a meeting for the right hon. Member with the Gambling Minister.