A series of photographs by Simon Roberts, commissioned by the House of Commons, will be featured in a summer exhibition in Parliament.
Among a number of photos featured are a set taken during a Bingo club visit by MP’s Luciana Berger and Stephen Twigg. Both Mr Twigg and Ms Berger pledged their support for Bingo by signing the Bond during their visit to Mecca Knotty Ash.
The full set of photos and more information on The Election Project can be seen at www.theelectionproject.co.uk/home.
Labour & Cooperative Party Candidate for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport, Linda Gilroy, recently visited her local club, Gala Charles Cross. Ms Gilroy has previously shown her support for Bingo by signing the Bingo Bond and later blogged about her visit on her personal website -
“Earlier this week I visited Charles Cross Gala Bingo continuing my campaign for fairer taxes on Bingo. I met with the club’s manager, Ian Pritchard, and had a chance to see how new technology has changed the face of our bingo halls while still allowing players to enjoy a traditional game.
Following several campaigns, the Chancellor agreed to remove VAT from Bingo and, more recently, has agreed to reduce duty on the game from 22% to 20%.
While we have successfully campaigned to bring down the Bingo duty, the industry is still facing big challenges. From what I have seen Bingo clubs are seeking to explore a range of new and exciting ways in which people can play the game and get involved but we have to support them in this.
The tax on bingo is still 5% higher than in other parts of the gaming industry. If successfully re-elected you can certainly count on me to continue campaigning for a fairer Bingo tax!”
Linda Gilroy with Ian Pritchard at Gala Charles Cross
The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, yesterday announced in his Budget that Bingo Duty is to be cut from 22 to 20% from the end of the March. Whilst this can be seen as a step in the right direction, the industry feels more still needs to be done. Tax on other forms of gambling – some of which have no community benefits or notable employment – starts at 15%, a situation that is grossly unfair for Bingo.
On Tuesday 9th March, a Parliamentary reception was held in the House of Commons on behalf of the Bingo Association. The event, sponsored by Labour MP Eric Illsley, was attended by over 30 MP’s from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Scottish National benches, who pledged their support for and signed the Bingo Bond.
From left to right: Linda Gilroy MP, the Bingo Association's Paul Talboys and Christine Russell MP
Daily Star, 13th July 2009
“Furious bingo players have put a curse on Chancellor Alistair Darling…”
To see video of the event click here or visit the Bingo Demonstration page.
BBC Radio 5 Live:
BBC Radio 4 Today:
BBC Bristol:
BBC Cumbria:
BBC Derby:
BBC Essex:
BBC Leeds:
BBC Newcastle:
BBC Norfolk:
Tay FM:
The Sun, 9th June 2009
“THE owner of MECCA BINGO claims a tax hike has made it TWICE as likely that bingo halls will go to the wall this year…”
Harlow Star. 4th June 2009
“BINGO players in Harlow are calling on the Government to scrap its decision to raise the tax duty on the profits paid by the promoters to 22 per cent.”
Mad.co.uk. May 28th, 2009
“Two of the UK’s biggest bingo hall operators have launched campaigns to highlight the Government’s “grossly unfair” proposed increase in bingo tax.”
Read it here
Marketing Week. 4th June, 2009
“Two of the UK’s biggest bingo hall operators have launched campaigns to highlight the Government’s “grossly unfair” proposed increase in bingo tax.”
Read it here
Times City Desk. 28th May, 2009
“Those cheeky chaps at Gala Bingo have come up with a nifty way of having a pop at the Chancellor’s shock decision to raise bingo duty…”
Read it here
On Sunday the BBC’s Politics Show raised the issue of the unfair tax regime bingo is facing, along with interviews with Edward Timpson MP, who has been extremely supportive of the bingo industry, and Ian Burke. Thanks to Gill and her team at Mecca Crewe for facilitating the filming at short notice.
Telegraph & Argus. May 14th, 2009
Read it here
Wirral Globe. May 8th, 2009
Read it here
Lancashire Evening Post. May 11th 2009
Read it here
This is Exeter. May 14th, 2009
Read it here
Crewe and Nantwich Guardian. May 18th, 2009
Read it here
Hartlepool Mail. May 21st, 2009
Read it here
This is gloucestershire.co.uk. May 28th, 2009
Read it here
Bingo Supermarket. May 15th, 2009
Read it here
This is Gloucestershire. 26th May, 2009
Read it here
The Comet. 24 May 28th 2009
Read it here
Crewe and Nantwich Guardian
Read it here
Rochdale Online. May 18th, 2009
Read it here
Uxbridge Gazette. May 18th, 2009
Read it here
Shropshire Star. May 18th, 2009
Read it here
This is Bristol.co.uk. 20th May, 2009
Read it here
Oldham Evening Chronicle. May 20th, 2009
Read it here
This is Bristol. May 22nd, 2009
Read it here
bingohideout.co.uk. May 17th, 2009
Read it here
Rochdale Observer. May 16th, 2009
Read it here
Wirral Globe. May 8th, 2009
Read it here
Lancashire Evening Post. May 11th, 2009
Read it here
This is Exeter.co.uk. May 14th, 2009
Read it here
Telegraph & Argus. May 14th, 2009
Read it here
Hamilton Advertiser. Mat 21st, 2009
Read it here
Gaming Alerts. May 27th, 2009
Read it here
Crewe and Nantwich Guardian. May 27th, 2009.
Read it here
Crewe Chronicle. May 27th, 2009
Read it here
It is not too late for the regulatory landscape to change so that bingo can flourish once more.
We are asking parliamentary candidates to sign the ‘bingo bond’ to show their support for the bingo industry and call for a fairer taxation regime.
For more information click here
For more information contact:
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