Clacton MP Nigel Farage has told constituents “I will do all I can to support our pier” in response to concerns surrounding the impact of increased taxes on arcades, with the Reform leader visiting Clacton Pier to discuss the “catastrophic blow” a rise in MGD could deliver.
Clacton MP Nigel Farage has told constituents “I will do all I can to support our pier and local arcades” after concerns were raised by pier director Billy Ball that an increase in MGD could deliver “a catastrophic blow” to the town’s seaside sector.
Writing in the Clacton and Frinton Gazette, Farage said piers are “part of our heritage,” and criticised proposals to double the levy on gaming machines which would put traditional arcades “in line for a kicking.”
“I have written in these pages before about how lucky we are to have Walton and Clacton piers on our doorstep,” said Farage. “However, it seems that the Labour government has them in their sights with reports that they plan to whack up taxes on betting in the November budget.”
“Whilst these tax rises are primarily aimed at the high street bookies, the amusement arcades on piers and promenades, a treasured part of many trips to the seaside, are also in line for a kicking.”
The article follows Farage’s visit to Clacton Pier last week in order to speak to director Billy Ball, who expressed concern that increasing MGD “would deliver a catastrophic blow to the seaside amusement sector.”
Commenting on the potential impact, Farage certainly got the message: “Many of these arcades in towns such as ours are long-standing small and medium-sized family businesses that, like the rest of the High Street, are already under pressure from tax rises and soaring energy prices.”
“Bacta, the body that represents the leisure and amusement industry, warns that a proposed hike on Machine Game Duty of just five per cent could close one in three arcades. And in fact, if Labour were to double the duty, from 20 percent to 40 percent, they believe they would all shut.”
“Many feel protective of the seaside arcades that are part of our heritage. As do I. As your MP, I will do all I can to support our pier and local arcades.”
Fiery Farage
Nigel Farage said… “Many of these arcades in towns such as ours are long-standing small and medium-sized family businesses that, like the rest of the High Street, are already under pressure from tax rises and soaring energy prices…
