Stuart Anderson MP Champions Levy Reform After Ludlow Racecourse Visit
Rated as Britain’s friendliest racecourse, a warm welcome awaited Stuart Anderson MP when he visited Ludlow Racecourse on Monday 11th November. It followed his intervention in a Westminster Hall debate that was held in Parliament on 24th October 2024 regarding government support for horseracing. Racecourses like Ludlow welcomed nearly 5 million racegoers last year. Britain’s 59 licenced racecourses support 85,000 jobs in racing businesses and associated supply chains - with 500 training yards across Britain.
Discussions focused on the Horserace Betting Levy, under which betting operators pay 10% of their profits from betting on races in Great Britain, whether online or in betting shops, to support the sector. The Levy represents around 6% of total income to horseracing. It raised £105 million in 2022/23 and supports racing through prize money grants to racecourses, which in turn supports trainers and jockeys. It also supports recruitment and training, education, and the welfare of horses. British racing has invested more than £47 million in veterinary research and education since 2000, thanks to funding from the Levy and the Racing Foundation. This has allowed British racing to cut the overall number of fatal injuries suffered on the racecourse by a third to just 0.2% of the 90,000 runners each year.
Racing receives just over 2.8% of the £13bn+ bet per annum by UK bettors on horseracing - the lowest of any major racing nation. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has warned that at least £133.5 million is needed to secure a sustainable future for racing. As committed to in the Gambling White Paper published in April 2023, the Government started a review of the Levy in May 2023 to ensure it delivers an appropriate level of funding for the sector. It was also agreed that Ministers would consider including overseas races in the scope of the Levy, after it emerged that the Levy is placed on bets in the UK but not in other countries. This does not happen in countries like Ireland or France.
Following the review, it was agreed that the Levy would be increased to 11.5 per cent in May 2024. Progress on these issues stalled when a General Election was called in the same month, on 22nd May. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has said that it is ready to return to negotiations with the betting industry. Yet, there has been no announcement to date. Earlier in May, the previous government had announced that: "if no agreement is reached we will consider legislative options." So, Stuart has now written to the Culture Secretary, requesting the government's intervention if a voluntary agreement cannot be reached. The British Horseracing Authority has added that the uplift would enable them to create a growth fund to market and promote British racing at home and abroad - allowing more investment in equine welfare, veterinary science, and education.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“I was pleased to recently visit Ludlow Racecourse, which is a vital contributor to the rural economy in South Shropshire. Attending the races brings much pleasure to many of my constituents. Yet, the new government has not been clear about its plans for the sector. So, I was pleased to raise this issue in Parliament. The Horserace Betting Levy raises around £100 million a year to support racecourses and the welfare of horses. Yet, further reforms are needed to secure a sustainable future. Uncertainty regarding the future of the Levy puts at risk tens of thousands of jobs across the sector - with businesses such as training yards wrapped up in the prospects of British racing. If a voluntary agreement cannot be reached, Ministers must be prepared to intervene so that racecourses like Ludlow can flourish in the years ahead."
In the debate, Stuart said:
“I am delighted to have Ludlow racecourse in my constituency and, if he ever gets the chance, I would welcome him to Eyton races—a great day out. He made an important point about the local economy, so does he agree that the lack of a clear way forward and support from the Government at this stage is creating uncertainty in horseracing?”
Stuart's intervention can be watched at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/eabbda48-ff6f-4b68-bbd0-f3f78efc0….
