Scrap Rule Letting Bookies Flood Our High Streets

Nearly 300 politicians and campaigners have urged Keir Starmer to remove a decades-old rule that they say has hamstrung communities trying to stop a surge of betting shops and 24-hour slot venues on high streets. The so-called "aim to permit" policy, introduced during the 2005 overhaul of gambling laws and enshrined when the Gambling Act took effect in 2007, requires licensing bodies to favour granting licences. Critics say that has left local councils with little power to refuse applications even when residents object. Labour MP Dawn Butler, who organised the letter, argues the policy has contributed to a hollowing out of town centres and shifted control away from neighbourhoods. The campaigners point to promise from ministers last year to let councils use cumulative impact assessments — a way of taking into account the number of gambling premises already in an area — but say that change stops short of what’s needed. The appeal to the prime minister was signed by 280 people, among them 46 MPs, six peers, 216 councillors and figures such as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. The group wants Starmer to meet a delegation to discuss scrapping the aim to permit rule entirely. Butler has also lodged a 10-minute rule application — a short parliamentary speech intended to flag a future bill and gauge support. Supporters note the human cost behind the debate: official figures cited by campaigners suggest more than a million people in Britain have a gambling problem, and up to one in five may be affected directly or indirectly through pressures on public services, financial harm and, in some tragic cases, suicide. The gambling industry pushed back, emphasising the economic role of betting shops. The Betting & Gaming Council highlighted that the sector supports about 46,000 jobs, pays almost £1bn in direct tax and around £60m in business rates to local authorities. It also pointed out that the number of betting outlets has fallen markedly in recent years — down by roughly 29% since 2019, equivalent to more than 2,300 closures. This is a debate about more than gaming: it pits concerns about public health and the vitality of local high streets against jobs and tax revenue. Reformers want councils to be able to steer the mix of businesses on their streets; industry leaders warn that tighter rules risk more closures and lost income. The group behind the letter says the government now has a chance to rebalance that equation; ministers have been asked for a response. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article