Speaking ahead of today’s Westminster Hall debate, SNP MP Owen Thompson explains how the media could play a defining role in reviving democratic participation.

Commenting on the verdict today (Tuesday) which confirmed that the 96 football fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough in 1989 were unlawfully killed, Len McCluskey, general secretary of the UK’s biggest union, Unite, said:

With Fixed Odds Betting Terminals being debated today in Westminster Hall, the Association of British Bookmakers’ CEO says there is a need for both an evidence based debate and evidence-based policy making.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling writes that local area risk assessments will do nothing to reduce the harm which addiction to machine gambling is causing problem gamblers.

A cross party survey carried out by ComRes has revealed that eight out of ten MPs (81%) think Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), the £100 high stakes casino gaming machines in betting shops, are having a negative impact on vulnerable people in society. 

Labour MP Rupa Huq writes that the BBC has 'quite a distance to cover' on domestic BME issues following her criticism last week of the show Citizen Khan.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling raises questions over right-wing think tanks and asks if they are influencing Government decisions on gambling policy.

Former Shadow Cabinet member Michael Dugher calls on the Labour leadership to take note of recent comments from the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and to get a grip on the antisemitism problem in the Labour party.

An SNP MP writes following his recent question to the Prime Minister calling for dormant online betting accounts to be taken over by the Government and proceeds used to support & treat problem gamblers.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling calls into question the concept of self-exclusion of gamblers from betting shops and doesn't believe it is as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy offered by the NHS, which it believes now must be properly funded.

Self-exclusions are unique contact opportunities between operators and gamblers. For it to work the gamblers will have already experienced harm to such a degree that they have been able to admit it to themselves and admit it to others. Provision of treatment at this point is the most valuable outcome.

Charlie Brooker's sister in law and Labour MP Rupa Huq is calling for 27 year old legislation that bans parliamentary footage being used for satire to be overhauled 'in the name of transparency and open government'.

 

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling writes that Chris Evans MP needs to fully grasp the impact which Fixed Odds Betting Terminals are having on vulnerable gamblers and how this can be reduced by better regulation.

Labour MP Chris Evans calls for an independent review of the gambling sector hearing from betting companies, lottery operators, internet providers, the anti-gambling lobby and the NHS.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling writes following a recent debate in the House of Lords on fixed odds betting terminals and calls on the Government to get on announce details of the long-awaited Triennial Review.