Horseracing and Bloodstock Industries Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Horseracing and Bloodstock Industries

Baroness Neville-Rolfe Excerpts
Monday 29th July 2024

(3 months, 3 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Twycross Portrait Baroness Twycross (Lab)
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I am aware of the difference between how different countries administer this. As I mentioned in my response to the noble Baroness, Lady Harding, the previous Government undertook a review that concluded only in April. It is too soon for us to comment on that process, but I am very keen to work with all parties and explore all the evidence before setting out next steps.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe Portrait Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Con)
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It is good to see a fair degree of agreement across the House that horseracing is very important. There are 4.8 million racegoers, and there is support right across the country, including from Her Majesty Queen Camilla and Lady Starmer. Does the Minister accept that the sport is disadvantaged? The competitiveness issue has been raised relative to France and Ireland on prize money, but it is also relative to Ireland in support for its bloodstock industry. How do the Government plan to remedy the situation, and is it possible for us to have a timetable?

Baroness Twycross Portrait Baroness Twycross (Lab)
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As I have said to other questions from noble Lords, the previous Government undertook a review that concluded only in April. I am committed to working with noble Lords across the House to make sure that we get the right arrangements for the industry and the levy is administered efficiently to best support racing. It is too soon, however, for me to commit to the shape of future policy.