White paper due in “coming weeks” as Chris Philp misses statutory levy debate

The UK government has once again failed to commit to a definitive timeline on the release of the upcoming white paper review into the Gambling Act 2005.

During a Westminster Hall debate on the issue of a statutory gambling levy, the parliamentary under secretary for DCMS Nigel Huddleston refused to be drawn on a date of the paper’s release.

Huddleston, who was standing in for Gambling Minister Chris Philp MP, who was otherwise “detained” in a bill committee, used his closing remarks to remain coy on the matter.

He said: “The government have an important responsibility to get reform right. We will build on the many strong aspects of our existing gambling regulatory system to make sure it is right for the digital age and the future.

“The white paper is a priority for the [DCMS] and we will publish it in the coming weeks,” he added.

When pressed on what “coming weeks” entailed by fellow Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith, Huddleston provoked further ire with his non-commitment.

Duncan Smith said: “Will [Huddleston], define what ‘coming weeks’ means? When is a coming week no longer a coming week? Is it two or three weeks ahead, or four or five? A little definition would help.”

Huddleston retorted: “I can say no more than that we will be publishing in the coming weeks. I am afraid that [Philp] is currently detained elsewhere, so the ‘coming weeks’ is all I can say today.”

During the debate, which was centred around a proposed 1% mandatory levy for the industry to support gambling-related harm treatment and research, Duncan Smith also lambasted fellow MPs for their close relationships with the industry.

The former party leader said: “In a previous debate, three [MPs], who are not here today, read out speeches written by bet365, and I did not think that that did this place any good at all.

“In truth, we are here for our judgment, not for somebody else’s judgment. I have no objection to [MPs] standing up for the gambling industry and defending it; that is absolutely right and exactly what this place is all about.

“However, I do object to the fact that we sometimes think that we have to just say what the industry wants us to say – we do not,” he added.

Elsewhere, in her opening remarks, gambling reformist Carolyn Harris MP said the current voluntary levy of 0.1% was “not fit for purpose” and demanded further support for those suffering from gambling-related harm.

She said: “GambleAware, the charity that receives voluntary donations, commented recently on the woefully inadequate nature of the voluntary levy. Its chief executive, Zoë Osmond, said in April that the industry has never reached its target of achieving 0.1% of GGY – gross gambling yield – from the voluntary industry levy.

“The vast majority of the industry continues to donate in support of research, education and treatment at extremely low levels,” Harris added.