Prime Minister Cornered By Bingo Fan Over Tax Changes

Bingo players and operators are upset that duty has been increased to 22 per cent.

Gordon Brown is finding it increasingly difficult to dodge questions about the government's controversial bingo tax hike, according to reports.

Writing in his City Diary for the Times this week, Martin Waller reveals that the prime minister was recently cornered by an angry bingo fan during a visit to the north-east.

According to the writer, Mr Brown was said to have looked "perplexed" when taken to task over the Treasury's decision to raise bingo duty from 15 per cent to 22 per cent.

Mr Waller goes on to suggest that the government's insistence on the higher bingo tax rate could be damaging for Labour in the upcoming elections, as between five and six million people are thought to play the game regularly.

The tax hike has proved extremely unpopular with bingo operators since it was unveiled by chancellor Alistair Darling in April's Budget.

Several politicians have since spoken out in support of the industry, with Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson raising the issue in Parliament last month.