Brian Binley MP for Northampton South and Chairman of The All Party Parliamentary Bingo Group has again called on the Government to reduce the ‘granny tax’ on bingo and taxation levels from 20% to 15% in line with other forms of gambling.
Brian said: “Bingo is one of the most innocuous forms of gambling and yet it pays the highest rate of tax. Bingo halls are an extremely important social amenity in many local communities and the Government should recognise that most people who play bingo use it as an opportunity for social interaction and not to excessively gamble.”
“The current bingo tax policy not only fails to support Britain’s Bingo clubs, but actively discriminates against them and as a supporter of those who play the game I have consistently called for a fairer taxation system to help support them.”
“The worrying social and economic consequences throughout the country cannot be over looked by the Government.”
A new report by the Bingo Association, compiled by Ernst and Young claims that a reduction in bingo taxation from 20% Gross Profit Tax (GPT) to 15% would significantly alleviate decline in the industry and simultaneously benefit the Treasury.
Bingo operators have faced a turbulent few years with changes in regulation, taxation, demographics and the economy all implicating operations and revenue.
Bingo clubs are closing are closing at a rate of around 5% per year, with 28 clubs closing in 2010. If the current level of taxation is maintained, Treasury returns are expected to fall by just over £42 million in 2014- representing a fall of close to 50% in the Treasury returns from 2005-2014.
If Taxation levels are lowered to 15% however, the tax revenue benefit to the Treasury could be as much as£65 million over the period 2011-14.
Paul Talboys, Chief Executive of the Bingo Association, said:
“The conclusions of the report confirm what the Bingo Association has always said, that the current tax regime is not simply unfair, it is also economically damaging to both bingo and the Exchequer. The closures of bingo clubs have serious impacts on both those who use them and those who rely on their income, whether it is clubs or the Government. It is not too late. If the Government changes the tax on bingo to 15% the game can flourish once more.”
Monday, 21 March 2011
MP critical of Kraft takeover
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South and Vice Chairman of the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee has today grilled senior officials from Kraft about their takeover of Cadbury one year on.
The Committee were visibly angered by the attitude and behaviour of Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld who has on three occasions been invited, and on each occasion, failed to attend the evidence session of the Select Committee.
Brian said: “Her persistent non attendance when asked to give evidence to this Select Committee sends a message to the British workforce that she is not bothered about them.”
The Committee was instead attended by senior officials; Marc Firestone, Executive Vice President Corporate & Legal, and General Counsel; Trevor Bond, President of Markets, Kraft Foods Europe and Nick Bunker, President of Kraft Foods UK & Ireland.
Brian continued to question Kraft on the undertakings from the previous Select Committee inquiry in 2010 and particularly focussed on their plans for the British workforce.
Brian said: “Before the takeover, Ms Rosenfeld said that the UK would be a net beneficiary in job terms. Yet when she visited Bournville last year she said that it was hard to say whether the merger would result in a net loss or gain.”
“Since Kraft has taken over they have made 150 redundancies on 4th March, further redundancies from Cheltenham Headquarters in May before moving key roles to Zurich in December.”
“I understand that Kraft are going to honour the commitment to manufacturing in the UK and will not make any compulsory redundancies until March of 2012 but it is regretful that they could not extend that commitment today.”
“Cadbury has been operating in the UK for over 180 years and is of vital importance to both its employees and the nation. They have a rich history built on extremely ethical foundations- believing in the view that everyone within the company is important and Kraft must recognise that fact when considering changes to the organisation.”
The Committee were visibly angered by the attitude and behaviour of Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld who has on three occasions been invited, and on each occasion, failed to attend the evidence session of the Select Committee.
Brian said: “Her persistent non attendance when asked to give evidence to this Select Committee sends a message to the British workforce that she is not bothered about them.”
The Committee was instead attended by senior officials; Marc Firestone, Executive Vice President Corporate & Legal, and General Counsel; Trevor Bond, President of Markets, Kraft Foods Europe and Nick Bunker, President of Kraft Foods UK & Ireland.
Brian continued to question Kraft on the undertakings from the previous Select Committee inquiry in 2010 and particularly focussed on their plans for the British workforce.
Brian said: “Before the takeover, Ms Rosenfeld said that the UK would be a net beneficiary in job terms. Yet when she visited Bournville last year she said that it was hard to say whether the merger would result in a net loss or gain.”
“Since Kraft has taken over they have made 150 redundancies on 4th March, further redundancies from Cheltenham Headquarters in May before moving key roles to Zurich in December.”
“I understand that Kraft are going to honour the commitment to manufacturing in the UK and will not make any compulsory redundancies until March of 2012 but it is regretful that they could not extend that commitment today.”
“Cadbury has been operating in the UK for over 180 years and is of vital importance to both its employees and the nation. They have a rich history built on extremely ethical foundations- believing in the view that everyone within the company is important and Kraft must recognise that fact when considering changes to the organisation.”
Thursday, 10 March 2011
MP impressed by Northampton school boy
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has written to Northampton School Boy, Zukhruf Naji, to congratulate him making the finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition taking place at the Big Bang (UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair) at the ExCel Centre in London.
Zukhruf will present the project “What value does testing for individual epitopes add to a positive peanut slgE result?” The event precedes National Science and Engineering week and is just one of many events taking place throughout the UK.
Brian said: “I have written to Zukhruf ahead of the competition to congratulate him and wish him the best of luck when he comes to London to present his project.”
“I am extremely impressed that a young man like Zukhruf has taken such an intelligent approach to a very important issue.”
“I have always championed science as a subject at school and thereafter and have always been impressed with the work the British Science Association do to promote it. It is of course, the progression of scientific and engineering development and understanding of it which makes our world a better place to live.”
Zukhruf will present the project “What value does testing for individual epitopes add to a positive peanut slgE result?” The event precedes National Science and Engineering week and is just one of many events taking place throughout the UK.
Brian said: “I have written to Zukhruf ahead of the competition to congratulate him and wish him the best of luck when he comes to London to present his project.”
“I am extremely impressed that a young man like Zukhruf has taken such an intelligent approach to a very important issue.”
“I have always championed science as a subject at school and thereafter and have always been impressed with the work the British Science Association do to promote it. It is of course, the progression of scientific and engineering development and understanding of it which makes our world a better place to live.”
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
MP proud to improve trade links with China
Brian Binley MP has spent the past week leading a delegation of the House of Commons BIS Select Committee in China on a very intensive programme to improve business relations with that Country.
Highlights of the visit included meeting with Mr. Yin Zhongqing, Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress Foreign and Economic Affairs Committee and other Members of that Committee in the Great Hall of People.
Brian said: “Mr. Yin is one of the leading figures in Chinese politics. We got on exceptionally well and he talked of the importance of growing trade relations with Britain. I invited him to visit Britain to talk more about how we could do that.”
The delegation also met with Dr. Sun Yongfu, Director General of the European Affairs Department of the Ministry of Commerce.
Brian continued: “We talked about detailed issues surrounding bilateral trade and investment and hopefully furthering our relationship in that respect.”
The delegation then took a two hour flight from Beijing to Shanghai and had further meetings which included meeting with Patrick Zhong, Managing Director of Fosun, China’s largest privately owned industrial group, both of whom are investing in Britain and will be creating a sizeable number of jobs.
Brian said: “I also invited them to further meetings in London and I am looking forward to meeting them again to hopefully help with the formulation of the objectives.”
Other meetings throughout the trip included a meeting with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation who are responsible for launching the new MG 6 in Britain next month and 2,000 are planned to be built at Longbridge this year rising to a possible 20,000 production in the longer term. This will create sizeable employment for one of Britain’s famous car manufacturing areas and the spin off for Northamptonshire component manufacturers will be very important.
The delegation also met with senior figures of leading British businesses operating China, including Diageo, British Sugar, Tesco, British Telecom and BP.
Brian said: “It was a real privilege to lead a delegation to China on behalf of the BIS Select Committee. The opportunities for British Companies, in particular small and medium sized businesses, are very real and I am hopeful jobs will be created in that sector in Britain but also in Northampton.”
“Opportunities for investment in China are considerable, but senior figures told us time and time again that companies must do their homework before they embark on commercial activities.”
“Relationships are very important and I am delighted that a number of senior people have accepted my invitation to visit Britain for further our discussions.”
Monday, 7 March 2011
MP concerned by rise in police complaints
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has written to Chief Constable, Adrian Lee, expressing his concern about the rise in complaints against Northamptonshire Police in the year 2009-10.
Brian said: “Many people in Northamptonshire will be deeply concerned that the number of complaints regarding police behaviour in the County rose by 42% in 2009-10, an increase of more than five times the national figure.”
“I note that the IPCC Commissioner for Northamptonshire has stated that he will be discussing the matter with the Force in due course. Can I suggest that those discussions happen sooner rather than later?”
“I note that the County Constabulary argues that the increase is due to an improvement in the amount of information being dispersed to the general public about the complaints procedures, but this is happening throughout the Country does not explain such a large increase.”
“I have written to the Chief Constable to express my concerns, saying that I recognise that this apparent lack of good practice and decline in disciplinary standards should be laid at the door of his predecessors who clearly managed a Force where good habits and efficient control regimes were seemingly allowed to fall into disrepair, but I have suggested that is even more reason to undertake an early review of line management to ensure that standards improve. The people of Northampton deserve better than a seemingly ill disciplined Force in this respect.”
Brian said: “Many people in Northamptonshire will be deeply concerned that the number of complaints regarding police behaviour in the County rose by 42% in 2009-10, an increase of more than five times the national figure.”
“I note that the IPCC Commissioner for Northamptonshire has stated that he will be discussing the matter with the Force in due course. Can I suggest that those discussions happen sooner rather than later?”
“I note that the County Constabulary argues that the increase is due to an improvement in the amount of information being dispersed to the general public about the complaints procedures, but this is happening throughout the Country does not explain such a large increase.”
“I have written to the Chief Constable to express my concerns, saying that I recognise that this apparent lack of good practice and decline in disciplinary standards should be laid at the door of his predecessors who clearly managed a Force where good habits and efficient control regimes were seemingly allowed to fall into disrepair, but I have suggested that is even more reason to undertake an early review of line management to ensure that standards improve. The people of Northampton deserve better than a seemingly ill disciplined Force in this respect.”
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