Lib Dem MP Supports Bingo Petition

Sandra Gidley MP has opposed the government's decision to raise bingo tax to 22 per cent.

Sandra Gidley MP is backing a new campaign to keep taxation of the bingo industry at 15 per cent.

The government announced that bingo duty will increase to 22 per cent earlier this year, causing outrage among the many numbers game venues already struggling to cope with the impact of the recession.

Ms Gidley, the MP for Romsey in Hampshire, has urged her constituents to sign an online petition calling for the bingo tax hike to be scrapped.

"Bingo is a popular pastime which brings friends and communities together, but government killjoys just don't seem to understand the threat it's under," she commented.

"I have written to the government on this subject in the past, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. They need to stop gambling with bingo's future and let people have their fun."

The petition is available at number10.gov.uk and has already received over 2,500 signatures.

Last month, a crowd of about 500 bingo players from around the country gathered outside the Houses of Parliament to protest against the tax hike.