Government sets out plans for Gambling saturation policies

The UK Government has published its Pride in Place Strategy, a whole-of-government plan to devolve powers and funding to local communities, aiming to revitalise high streets, strengthen social infrastructure and give residents greater control over their neighbourhoods.

As part of the strategy, the Government will introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing, effectively granting local authorities the power to adopt a saturation policy for gambling premises in areas already overburdened by betting shops and casinos.

In the strategy, the Government confirmed:

“We also want to empower local authorities to curate healthy, vibrant public spaces that reflect the needs of their communities. For example, to strengthen councils’ tools to influence the location and density of gambling outlets, we will introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing when Parliamentary time allows. This will allow local authorities to take data-driven decisions on premises licences, particularly in areas that have been identified as being vulnerable to gambling-related harm. This will empower local authorities to better shape their high streets and neighbourhoods, and to ensure a healthy mix of premises in their town and city centres.”

Under licensing reform, the Government has also reconfirmed that it will take forward the conclusions of the Licensing Taskforce, “reflecting the vital role of the hospitality industry and night-time economy in the evolving high street landscape, and the merits of rebalancing the licensing system, which many businesses feel has become too burdensome. We will launch a Call for Evidence shortly on reforms to reduce this burden and will pilot new powers for the Mayor of London – including a new ‘call-in’ power for strategically important licensing decisions – recognising the opportunity to boost London’s world renowned cultural and hospitality sectors through the adoption of a more joined-up and strategic approach to licensing across all London boroughs.”

These licensing and hospitality proposals sit alongside the £1.5 billion Pride in Place Programme and the £150 million Impact Fund, which together will deliver long-term, locally directed investment into neighbourhoods most in need of regeneration and community facilities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

“For too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.  

“We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.

“This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best – the people with real skin in the game. 

“We’re choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our Plan for Change in action – giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.” 

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed said:  

“Building pride in place starts with people, not politics. Local people know what they want to see in their neighbourhoods – and they don’t need government to dictate it. 

“This plan will spark an historic grassroots movement that will restore local people’s power, boost national pride and help people get on in life across the UK as part of our Plan for Change.” 

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:  

“We’re giving local people the power to transform their hometowns. Giving them more control of how money is spent where they live so that together we can invest in Britain’s renewal and build an economy that rewards working people. 

“This £5 billion investment doesn’t just reverse decades of underinvestment in our public infrastructure – it cuts through the bureaucracy by giving local people the power to deliver the change they want to see.”