Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34943 on Gambling: Health Services, what steps he is taking to ensure the new commissioning programme is in place before the end of the voluntary levy period.

It is a priority for the Government that in this crucial transition period, valuable support and treatment services for those experiencing gambling-related harm are protected. To minimise any disruption, operators must continue to provide financial contributions at their current levels until the levy is in force. The Government has received assurances from industry that this will be delivered.

Following the appointment of lead commissioning bodies for research, prevention, and treatment under the statutory levy, all continue to work at pace to design the future commissioning programmes, and to ensure that there is no break in the provision of services. Spending decisions will be confirmed in due course.