Commenting on the Chancellor’s pre-budget report commitment to cut bingo duty from 22 per cent to 20 per cent, SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford expressed regret that the Treasury has not listened to calls to bring Bingo taxation into line with taxation of other gaming activities.
SNP MPs have long campaigned for an end to the unfair taxation scheme which has put great strain on business and played a contributing role in the closure of 31 clubs in 2008/09.
Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:
“The Chancellor of the Exchequer has made a step in the right direction, but it’s unfortunately too late for clubs such as Macduff. It does not go far enough towards bringing bingo taxation into line with other gaming activities.
“Bingo actually has a serious social role to play because research has shown that provides a great many people who are elderly and live alone with a social focus. And apart from being good fun it also keeps the mind active.
“Other gambling activities are taxed at 15 per cent and the bingo industry should not be singled out for harsh treatment. It’s good news that Labour is starting to see the error of its ways and beginning to back bingo.”