Gambling Act Review White Paper

Debate between Margaret Ferrier and Lucy Frazer

Thursday 27th April 2023 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Frazer]

It is, of course, important that we protect young people and that people under the age of 18 do not gamble. Betting companies have to ensure that people are following their rules.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

As vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling-related harm, I thank the Secretary of State for her statement and welcome the long-awaited White Paper. I do not agree with parts of it, but that is for another day. This month saw the opening of the UK’s first women-only residential treatment for gambling addiction. It caters towards women’s needs, including a consideration of childcare demands, which means that, on average, women spend less time in treatment than men. Does the Secretary of State agree that that highlights the need for an intersectional public-health-focused and free-to-access treatment programme offering tailored support to those who require it?

[Lucy Frazer]

I was very pleased in my engagement to speak with clinicians who are dealing with gambling harm, and I am pleased that the statutory levy will ensure that NHS trusts will take the funding that they have previously turned away because of where the money was coming from. The measures that we are bringing forward will help those people to get the support that they need.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margaret Ferrier and Lucy Frazer

Thursday 9th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Frazer]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising those important questions, some of which we engage on regularly with the Treasury, particularly energy. As I said in my previous answer, we have schemes to support grassroots venues. The ACE scheme has been extended to March and we will continue to look at what more we can do to support this important sector.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

8. What recent discussions she has had with gambling industry representatives on tackling gambling-related harms.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lucy Frazer)]

I know that the hon. Member, as vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling related harm, has a keen interest in this issue. Tackling gambling-related harm is a priority of mine. I have met the Betting and Gaming Council, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association and the Bingo Association, as well as some of those with lived experience of gambling harms, including the Gambling Commission’s lived experience advisory panel and those involved with Gambling with Lives. I also recently discussed with the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust how gambling affects young people. All of that will support our evidence-led gambling review, and we will publish a White Paper setting out our conclusions shortly.

[Margaret Ferrier]

I know this is an important area for the Minister, too. Figures published by Public Health England estimate that the total cost of gambling harm to public health ranges from £754.4 million to £1.475 billion. These costs have been attributed to suicide, depression, homelessness and alcohol dependence among adults, so when will the Secretary of State publish the long-awaited White Paper? Will she commit to including a statutory levy and stringent affordability checks to ensure people are protected and do not gamble more than they can afford?

[Lucy Frazer]

The hon. Lady rightly highlights the impact gambling can have on some vulnerable people. This is the most thorough review of gambling laws since the Gambling Act 2005 was passed, and we need to get it right so that our regulation is not just fit for the digital age but protects those who are vulnerable. We are looking at the best available evidence, including from the 16,000 submissions to our call for evidence, and we will be publishing our findings very shortly.

Levelling-up Fund Round 2

Debate between Margaret Ferrier and Lucy Frazer

Thursday 19th January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Frazer]

It is very important that we level up in Devon. We absolutely do not take it for granted. I know that the hon. Gentleman’s constituency recently received funding for a new school in Tiverton and that East Devon secured £15 million through this fund.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

I am happy for all colleagues who were successful in round 2. I was disappointed to see that the bid to remediate Shawfield in my constituency was unsuccessful. The team at Clyde Gateway delivering the project have worked incredibly hard and have a proven track record. Can the Minister confirm how detailed the feedback will be for unsuccessful bids so that it can inform potential future bids from constituencies and give them the best chance of success in round 3?

[Lucy Frazer]

Feedback will be provided. If the hon. Member has further questions in relation to that feedback, she can raise them, and they will be answered.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margaret Ferrier and Lucy Frazer

Tuesday 17th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Frazer]

It is important that we support local businesses, and that is exactly what the Government have done. The hon. Member will know about the business rates support—amounting to £7 billion of support to businesses—that we provided at the last Budget, including £1.7 billion for the hospitality industry through a 50% rebate on business rates. For small businesses, we also increased the employment allowance by £1,000. That is a package of support for local businesses in his area and others across the country.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

8. What recent steps he has taken to progress the Government’s access to cash strategy.