During the August Holiday period there were a significant number of questions raised by Alan Smith, The Bishop of St Albans, to the House of Lords. On the 6th August he asked questions to the “Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Gambling”. The questions and response can be seen here. Fiona Twycross, the Baroness Twycross; Baroness in Waiting; (HM Household) (Whip), responded.  Interestingly, The Bishop requested new questions again last Wednesday and Thursday.

It is interesting that Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP for Gower asked her similar question on 25th July and then that Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green on the 9^th September asked these four questions on that day. Also on the same day Graham Leadbitter, the SNP MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey also asked his own question about Gambling.

The questions from Alan Smith, the Bishop of St Albans are here:

Wednesday 25th September with currently 2 Support comments and 1 Rejection comment:

Alan Smith: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of GambleAware’s Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2023, published on 21 August.

Fiona Twycross: The Government is committed to using all the evidence available from a range of sources, including the GambleAware survey, to better understand the true picture of gambling behaviours and treatment in Great Britain.

We recognise the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families and, as stated in the Government’s manifesto, we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk. We will consider the best available evidence in future decisions regarding the fulfilment of that important commitment.

Thursday 26th September with currently 1 Support comment and 1 Rejection comment:

Alan Smith: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to support children growing up in households where an adult is experiencing problem gambling.

Fiona Twycross: We recognise the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. The National Gambling Clinic (NGC) supports people aged 13 – 18 years old in England who are experiencing harm from gambling, and offers a Family and Friends service which provides support to those impacted by someone else’s difficulty with gambling.

As stated in the Government’s manifesto, we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk. We will consider the best available evidence in future decisions regarding the fulfilment of that important commitment.