West Midlands Liberal Democrats - Campaigning across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the Metropolitan West Midlands - Media Enquiries - Please Contact Ben Jephcott on 07966 514982

Save the Bingo Clubs - John Hemming

11.06.52pm GMT Thu 7th Jun 2007

John Hemming, MP for Birmingham Yardley, today signalled his support for the bingo industry in its campaign to secure a future for bingo clubs across the UK. Some 200 are under threat of closure as a result of a combination of Government policies.

He has today tabled an Early Day Motion (No 1631 Protection of Bingo Clubs) calling upon the Government to review the tax structure and to take the necessary steps to secure a future for Britain's bingo clubs, which will also be badly affected by the smoking ban. In Scotland, 21 clubs have already closed.

John Hemmings MP

"This is an important issue for many of my constituents who have written to me because they are concerned for the future of their club" said Mr Hemming. "At the moment, bingo is taxed twice, paying both gross profits tax and VAT. It is the only mainstream gaming activity to be taxed in this way, and this additional tax is making life very difficult for many clubs."

"Bingo is in important in the social lives of so many people in my constituency. It is important that when the smoking ban takes effect on 1 July that the combination of this and double taxation does not spell the end for many small clubs", he added.

"By removing VAT, the Government could take a crucial step to assist the industry in adjusting to life after the ban. For many clubs, this could be a lifeline."

Bookmark this story at: del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg FacebookFacebook LibDigLibDig redditreddit StumbleUponStumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Comment on this news story.
Previous news story: STAFF AND PATIENTS HAVE PAID THE PRICE FOR GOVERNMENT'S NHS DEADLINE - RICHARD BURT (Wed 6th Jun 2007).
Next news story: SOLIHULL MP CAMPAIGNS IN WESTMINSTER TO LIFT WOMEN OUT OF POVERTY (Wed 13th Jun 2007).

Related News Stories:

Wed 12th Mar 2008:

Tue 30th Oct 2007:

Mon 15th Oct 2007:

Thu 22nd Mar 2007:

Mon 19th Mar 2007:

Fri 9th Feb 2007:

Tue 30th Jan 2007:

Mon 29th Jan 2007:

Fri 26th Jan 2007:

Tue 29th Nov 2005:

Wed 16th Nov 2005:

Tue 15th Nov 2005:

Fri 11th Nov 2005:

Wed 9th Nov 2005:

Tue 8th Nov 2005:

Mon 7th Nov 2005:

Fri 4th Nov 2005:

Wed 2nd Nov 2005:

Mon 31st Oct 2005:

Sat 29th Oct 2005:

Fri 21st Oct 2005:

Tue 18th Oct 2005:

Thu 13th Oct 2005:

Mon 10th Oct 2005:

Thu 6th Oct 2005:

Thu 29th Sep 2005:

Wed 28th Sep 2005:

Sun 25th Sep 2005:

Wed 14th Sep 2005:

Mon 12th Sep 2005:

Wed 7th Sep 2005:

Fri 26th Aug 2005:

Fri 19th Aug 2005:

Fri 12th Aug 2005:

Fri 22nd Jul 2005:

Wed 27th Oct 2004:

Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 82b Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BX.
Published and promoted by West Midlands Liberal Democrats, 53 Chawn Hill, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 7JA.
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.