Prime minister pledges stronger council powers to regulate gambling shops

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to give local councils greater authority to regulate the number and location of gambling shops on high streets, responding to growing concerns about their accessibility and potential links to addiction.

The Local Government Chronicle reported that during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Labour MP Dawn Butler raised the issue, highlighting the disproportionate concentration of gambling outlets in economically deprived areas. She criticised existing legislation, particularly the “aim to permit” clause, which she argued restricts councils from rejecting applications for new gambling premises.

“Economically deprived high streets and poorer high streets are flooded with gambling shops,” Butler said. “The ‘aim to permit’ legislation prevents councils from saying no. My summer campaign on gambling reform has received loads of support, including from Gordon Brown, who says that if we tax the gambling industry, we will get £3bn for our economy.”

In response, Starmer acknowledged the problem and confirmed that the government intends to strengthen local authority powers to manage the proliferation of gambling outlets. He emphasised the importance of enabling councils to shape their high streets in ways that promote community wellbeing and economic vitality.

“It is important that local authorities are given additional tools and powers to ensure vibrant high streets,” the prime minister said. “We are looking at introducing cumulative impact assessments, like those already in place for alcohol licensing, and we will give councils stronger powers over the location and numbers of gambling outlets to help create safe, thriving high streets.”