Newly Elected Speaker Withdraws Support For Bingo EDM

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The bingo industry has been united in celebrating the 100 signatures achieved by the Early Day Motion, introduced in Westminster by MP Dhanda Parmjit. Among the signatories to the EDM was Tory MP Mr. John Bercow, who had pledged his support almost a week prior to his election as speaker of the house. However, recent reports reveal that Mr. Bercow has withdrawn his support for the EDM considering his status as Speaker which requires him to be unbiased on any motion tabled in the House. This takes the tally of signatures to 99; one below the mandatory 100 required to pass the floor of the House.

Nevertheless this does not mean the end of the road as far as the EDM is concerned. 5 other MPs have come forward in support and affixed signatures on the EDM, giving a fresh lease of life to the much awaited EDM.

According to law, ministers in Government are not allowed to sign on EDMs, though most ruling ministers are more in support of the bingo tax hike than against it. Yvette Cooper, Castleford MP and Minister for Work and Pensions, has been particularly vocal in her support for the tax hike. A notable departure from this trend is senior government minister MP Alan Campbell. He was quoted as saying in the local press in Northshields, Tyneside, “I am concerned that the model used to calculate the tax changes does not take into account the precarious position of smaller clubs, I am lobbying the Government to look at these changes”. Perhaps this marks a trend and more government ministers will be vocal in their support for a revisit in the tax hike policy once the EDM comes to open discussion.

The bingo tax was hiked from 15% to 22% and VAT on bingo was removed in April’s budget this year by Chancellor Alistair Darling. Government ministers contend that the move pumps in an additional 15 million pounds into the industry and the industry is in a much better position because of the VAT cut. However, bingo operators believe that this move puts the smaller players in an unfavorable situation as most of the bingo games were as such exempt from VAT.

In the aftermath of the bingo tax hike, several bingo operators have been forced to close down their bingo halls. Gala Bingo recently announced that it was in talks with its staff to shut down 6 of its 156 bingo clubs leading to over 200 job cuts.

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