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Lobby Your MP against unfair TaxationBelow is some information on how to go about lobbying your MP and the resons why we think the 22% GPT rate to be applied discriminately to bingo clubs is unfair. At the bottom of the page you can find out how to go about contacting your MP. As a result of the changes announced in the Budget, the range of gaming and betting duties in Great Britain is now:
The letter below is an example of a letter from a bingo player to their MP Dear [NAME] I am writing to express my disappointment at the Government's recent Budget proposals, to tax bingo at a higher rate than any other form of gaming. I understand that this could well lead to the closure of some bingo clubs and if my own club closed this would be a devastating loss to my community and the thousands like me who don't just play bingo for enjoyment but also for the friendship and community spirit that I believe exists in my club. If my club were to close then it would have a negative effect on local employment, social cohesion and the local and national economies. Please do all you can to force the Government to create a level playing field for gaming taxation, either by writing to the Chancellor and/or speaking to him yourself and taking part in the various parliamentary debates on the budget. I really cannot stress to you how important my local bingo club is to me and your strong and active support to keep bingo alive in this area would be enormously appreciated. Yours Sincerely Your name. It is recommended you use the above letter as a guide to writing your own view, below is an example of a letter written by an independent bingo club Below is an example of a letter written by a bingo club owner/Manager to their MP. Dear (Name of MP) I am writing to appeal for your assistance to secure the future of one of Britain's most popular pastimes. Bingo has a good relationship with the DCMS and has agreed and reiterated their stance that a bingo club "Plays an important role in the community". Through recent legislative changes including Gambling reform, the smoking ban all of which were given support by the Bingo Industry, we are still to receive any benefit from the government that will assist us in securing this important community role for the future of the people of Britain. As our local MP, I would like to offer this opportunity for you to come along to our bingo club and meet the members so many of which have voted you to represent them on their behalf. At this visit I would like to discuss the recent tax changes that have been implemented that could now have devastating consequences for so many communities in the UK. The DCMS, Gambling Commission and problem gambling help groups including gamcare have acknowledged and back up the fact that land based bingo does not produce problem gamers or addicts and they widely regard it as soft gaming. Why is it that the bookmakers are charged a sensible rate of 15% GPT whilst we are now forced to pay 22%, almost 50% more in tax. We are suggesting that since this pastime is unique in the way that it is targeted towards mature females, this could be a soft target for tax rather than looking at the bookmakers which is a harder form of gambling and male targeted. Please visit our bingo club and give us the opportunity to demonstrate what life could be like for your local community and how they would feel at the prospect of losing their favourite pastime. To some people, bingo is a major part of their life and is escapism from the bad things they face with deterioration in health, loss of close relatives and gives them something to look forward to. Please do not let the bingo industry go to the wall. It is frightening that bingo clubs are faced with closure; many operators have scraped a living from bingo for many years but are now facing financial ruin. I look forward to your reply and your kind attention to this important matter and hope we can look forward to a productive visit. Sincerely |
