“Giving them the power to see and feel the difference where they live”: Government musters up a measly £210m fund to “bring people back into town centres”
The Burnham arithmetic model seems to be missing a couple of digits and that won’t get the cash tills ringing on the high street. Each time you press the Government’s latest solution to our town centres – a £210 million package – and divide it by the number of high streets in the UK, it still comes out at less than the salary of one single part-time employee in an AGC per high street. We can all do the maths, and it definitely doesn’t add up to the “hope and pride” the Prime Minister is expecting from it.
Cultivating allies, engaging with critics and working to change minds: Bacta’s Director of Communications Allaster Gair reflects on the Labour Party Conference
Following Bacta’s attendance at Reform UK’s Party Conference, President Joseph Cullis and Director of Communications Allaster Gair headed to Liverpool this week for the Labour Party Conference. Coinslot caught up with Allaster to get the low-down and the take-outs from Labour’s flagship event – and the implications for the industry.
Bacta takes crucial economic, social impact and lived experience arguments to Liverpool for Burnham’s first Labour Party Conference
As Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosts his first Labour Party Conference, Bacta President Joseph Cullis and Director of Communications Allaster Gair are heading to Liverpool as part of the trade association’s extensive political engagement programme. Bacta will be meeting with multiple MPs, Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants presenting a raft of evidence-led economic, social impact and lived experience business arguments to demonstrate how an increase in MGD will result in a decrease in tax revenues and wipe-out businesses in every constituency.
Dransfields chair Chris Haley flags “devastating” impact MGD rise would have on social clubs
Dransfields group chair Chris Haley has painted a stark picture of what could befall Britain’s social clubs if the government decides to increase MGD, noting how important machine revenue is for subsidising important community activities, which are of “critical importance to hundreds of thousands of their members.”
Vicky Foxcroft finally confirmed as gambling minister but her duties stretch far and wide
The merry-go-round of gambling ministers has seen 7 take office in the last 7 years. No wonder nobody wanted the music to stop as the Burnham government deliberated on the next incumbent. Well, after nine weeks of waiting, the worst kept secret in political appointments was confirmed: Vicky Foxcroft is the new minister of gambling. And Youth. And Civil Society. And National Lottery. And Digital Inclusion and Skills, And Loneliness. This old Vic has certainly got her work cut out.
Welsh Government to cut rates for small hospitality businesses by 30 pc … but not for arcades?
The Welsh Government has announced plans to reduce business rates for approximately 20,000 commercial properties with rateable values below £51,000 from next year, by raising rates for those valued at more than £100,000.
The real dodgy dealings Mr Burnham: Labour MPs very happy to keep their noses in the freebie expenses trough
MPs have been criticised for failing to “learn their lesson” over accepting more than £400,000 worth of hospitality freebies this year, including tickets to concerts, awards shows and sports matches.
Waugh takes aim at Lord Foster and the Commission over the misuse of statistics
Arguing malicious misinformation is distorting gambling policy, Dan Waugh has criticised Lord Foster alongside the Gambling Commission and the current state of gambling-related research, which Waugh believes has “never been poorer”.
Burnham to “go further” in plans for high street but AGCs remain beyond the pale
Andy Burnham has stated he wants to “go further” in supporting the UK’s retail and hospitality industries by reducing business rates in the October Budget, telling BBC Radio 5 Live “the cost of doing business is too high.”
Government’s stance on AGCs risks reigniting the divisive gambling versus gaming debate
Bookmakers have warned the government against “bundling” betting shops and AGCs together in its decision to target what it sees as undesirable high street businesses, potentially reigniting the Gambling vs Gaming debate which could lead to rifts in the wider industry. But don’t be fooled, Burnham’s bashing all of gambling on his prohibition crusade: every gaming and gambling operator is in his sights.