Miliband: Bingo Caller

There has been much debate and conflict throughout the United Kingdom regarding the Government’s taxation policies on bingo halls. At the present time, bingo halls are in essence double taxed by the government. They pay a 15% value added tax. Then on top of that they are assessed another 15% tax over their gross profits. Many bingo establishments have taken actions in order to protest these discriminatory practices and call for much needed reform in the area.

Chief executive, Ian Burke of Mecca Bingo recently attempted to call attention to this problem to the government. Burke invited David Miliband, the Secretary of State for foreign affairs and a Member of Parliament to be a guest bingo caller. Burke also invited Miliband to attend a presentation that focused on this inequitable double taxation for bingo halls. Burke wanted to put this issue on the forefront and describe the problems this taxation is causing for the bingo industry. Combined with the worsening recession, bingo halls are starting to close their doors.

Following this presentation, Miliband then drew numbers for a bingo game attended by members of the bingo hall. This game was a free bingo game offered as a perk for its loyal customers. At the conclusion of the visit, Miliband acknowledged that he heard many important matters brought up at the bingo hall. He stated that he would be taking this newfound information and perspective back to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for a discussion.

Secretary Miliband is not the only government official to be a celebrity bingo caller. Other prominent political figures have been invited to try their hand at bingo calling. Tory MP Karen Allen also attended a bingo hall as the special bingo caller. She spoke out regarding the poor state of the bingo halls in regards to taxation. She quoted a statistic that in the bingo industry approximately 5,000 jobs had been lost since 2003. She also commented that this statistic didn’t appear to be improving any time soon. Without a doubt, Allen pointed to the 30% tax being levied against bingo halls as causing most of the damage.

There has been much debate and conflict throughout the United Kingdom regarding the Government’s taxation policies on bingo halls. At the present time, bingo halls are in essence double taxed by the government. They pay a 15% value added tax. Then on top of that they are assessed another 15% tax over their gross profits. Many bingo establishments have taken actions in order to protest these discriminatory practices and call for much needed reform in the area.

Article Source: Miliband: Bingo Caller