MP ‘deeply disappointed’ as government decides to freeze boost for horse racing venues like Ludlow racecourse

A Shropshire MP has said he was “deeply disappointed” that the government has decided not to boost support for horse racing venues like Ludlow racecourse by freezing the betting levy.

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South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson launched a campaign in November 2024, urging Government Ministers to up-rate the Horserace Betting Levy, which has remained frozen for almost a decade.

The Levy secures a proportion of profits that operators make from bets placed on races in Great Britain to support various initiatives. This includes the recruitment and training of jockeys, investment in veterinary research and education, and improvement to the safety and welfare for both staff and horses.

Before the last General Election, the previous government had pledged to increase the Levy to 11.5 per cent. However, the government has now decided to freeze the rate at ten per cent. Announcing the decision last week.

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross said that the government will not “pursue legislative changes to the rate of the horserace betting levy at this time.” She also said that the government does not support extending the Levy to overseas racing.

Mr Anderson has said that the government's decisions will be frustrating for racecourses like Ludlow, which have waited more than three years since a review of the Levy was announced as part of the Gambling White Paper in April 2023.

He added that the government's decisions have been made despite similar levies in other countries like Ireland and France being placed on bets from abroad.

He also said that up-rating the Levy and extending it to overseas bets would have enabled more investment in equine welfare, veterinary science, and education, and that the government’s decision not to do so is a missed opportunity to support Britain’s 59 licenced racecourses, which supports 85,000 jobs in racing businesses and associated supply chains - with 500 training yards across Britain.

Mr Anderson said: “I am deeply disappointed that the government has decided not to boost support for local racecourses like Ludlow.

“The Horserace Betting Levy is crucial for the sector, as it secures a proportion of profits from bets placed on races in Great Britain to fund various initiatives like those that enhance animal welfare.

“By deciding not to uprate the Levy and extend it to overseas bets, the government has missed a vital opportunity to enable significant extra investment in equine welfare, veterinary science, and education. I am urging the government to reconsider its stance.”