Horseracing and Bloodstock Industries

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent Excerpts

Thursday 14th September 2023 Grand Committee

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

My Lords, I draw your Lordships’ attention to my declared interests. I wish they were as exciting as everyone else’s, but it is just hospitality with the Betting and Gaming Council. It serves me right for going to the cricket.

This has been a truly interesting debate. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Herbert of South Downs, for convening the debate and for his opening remarks, which have made clear the importance of the horseracing and bloodstock industries to our national economy, as well as to our international standing. It is only 10 months since we last debated the importance of this sector in your Lordships’ House. That fact alone is a testament to both the value of and fondness with which we consider the industry.

I stand here as the great-niece of a bookie, whose funeral was on the front page of the Racing Post, and the granddaughter of an amazing man who liked more than an occasional bet on the horses. One of my earliest memories was him taking me to the sweetshop to get sweets so that I would not grass him to my grandmother while he went in to place a bet. I am also a very proud resident of Staffordshire, where Uttoxeter Racecourse plays an important part in our county’s local economy; and, of course, Bet365 is the largest private sector employer in my great city. I am very sorry for the noble Lord’s experiences; when he started talking about Bet365 I got very worried about where that conversation was going. It should not surprise your Lordships that I have an affinity with horseracing, and I appreciate the importance of the bloodstock industry, which is so vital to the success of our sector.

This has been an incredibly informative debate and it has been a joy to listen to some of your Lordships’ contributions. It was a privilege to listen to the noble Baroness, Lady Harding, talk about her experiences. Much has moved on since your Lordships last debated the horseracing industry, not least the long-anticipated gambling White Paper, which we have touched on. I may be a fan of the sector, and even place the odd bet on my Bet365 app, but that does not mean that I am unaware of the darker side of the gambling industry. Addiction can ruin lives, and it is something we need to acknowledge. Problem gambling has not only a personal impact but economic and social impacts.

We know that some in the horseracing industry have been unsettled by constant speculation about what the review process might mean, and still are. We sympathise with those concerns, even though we believe the Government were right to undertake their review of existing regulation. It is regrettable that the progress has been so incredibly slow and that even now, nobody has absolute certainty about what the future holds.

Proper regulation, enforcement and support for gamblers can go a long way to ensuring that the overwhelming majority can enjoy the occasional flutter while the most vulnerable are protected. Many people visit a betting shop or use an online platform only once or twice a year, to back a horse in one of racing’s crown jewels: the Epsom Derby or the Grand National. While we must act quickly to better protect those who are at risk, that occasional punter should also not face excessive burdens.

As has been highlighted, we must also ensure that our domestic equine businesses operate on a level playing field and that any change is proportionate and enacted in consultation with the sector. This is especially the case when we consider the anticipated reduction to the online element of the horserace betting levy by up to 11%. As the industry seeks to recover from the impact of Covid, which we have not touched on, and which may feel like a dim and distant memory for some, it is still impacting too many businesses. We need to be careful that we do not move too quickly with any of these proposals, which may risk undermining local businesses as they strive to re-establish financial stability.

That brings me to the rural nature of the businesses concerned. We have spent many, many hours over the last year scrutinising the levelling-up Bill, and we will continue to do so next week. But what is levelling up if it does not also seek to improve the economic outlook of every community, including our rural communities, where over 20,000 people are directly employed in the sector, with many more in associated industries, as has been highlighted? We must strive to facilitate growth in every part of our economy, and this is no less true of horseracing, bloodstock and the associated industries. We ignore the sector at our peril, and I hope that the Minister has some reassurance for us regarding the support for our rural communities.

That brings me to the extra economic activities that are driving extra revenue into our racecourses, which we have not touched on. Lots of tracks, including my own Uttoxeter, are diversifying to increase their revenue and broaden their appeal, seeking to maximise the track as a venue. Can the Minister say whether His Majesty’s Government are working with the sector to expand that activity? Are there financial incentives available, and are they content that licensing rules are sufficiently flexible to allow additional activity while ensuring that the impact on local residents is minimised?

As we discuss the businesses which are at the heart of the sector, it would be remiss of me not to touch on matters of equine health and welfare, consideration of which must be at the core of every business in the field. Whether or not you agree with the tactics of the various campaign groups involved—I do not—protests at a number of high-profile race meets over the past year have brought these issues back into the public consciousness. We recognise the steps taken by breeders, trainers, jockeys and others across the racing and bloodstock industries to improve welfare standards, and to be more open about why certain practices exist or choices have been made. That is not to say that things are perfect, or that there are not individual cases which will cause public concern when they come to light, but enormous strides have been made.

That is why we are pleased that the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association held its first ever conference in June this year, which explored many of the issues which have been touched on by others today, including sharing best practice regarding welfare standards. I believe that it is admirable that the TBA also used its conference to begin a conversation about social licence in the context of the breeding industry, especially with regards to changing attitudes towards animals in sport. If the sport is to survive, we need to start having those conversations—and there will be many more in the years ahead.

I have now finished my substantive comments but before I sit down, tomorrow is Jewish New Year, and new year is always about horseracing—although maybe not for Jewish New Year. However, I wish all your Lordships shanah tovah—happy new year—and I look forward to hearing the comments from the Minister.