Open Letter to Keir Starmer

In a public letter, activists have urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to follow through on gambling-related measures initiated by the Conservative Party. The signatories include Samaritans’ chairpersons, eight members of the House of Lords, academics, and other stakeholders. They are concerned about potential delays in implementing a mandatory levy on British gambling companies for the National Health Service (NHS) due to the change in power.

Concerns Raised

The delay in implementing this levy could harm mental health and potentially cost lives. Activists are worried about the close ties between senior Labour politicians and the gambling industry, fearing a political shift influenced by the Conservative Party’s Gambling White Paper. Labour has received donations from the gambling sector since Tony Blair’s liberalization in 2005. Some former Labour members now work in the industry, maintaining strong connections with their former colleagues.

Expected Gambling Commission Data

The UK Gambling Commission is expected to release new statistics on gambling addiction and related harms calculated with updated methodologies. These figures might reveal a higher prevalence of problem gambling than previously thought. If the numbers show a significant impact, it could increase pressure on the Labour Party to progress the prior government’s proposed measures.