Union warns against knee-jerk LBO closures

Trade union Community is concerned ahead of an expected announcement by the government that will provide new powers to local councils to curb the opening of high street betting shops and that the stakes on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals might be changed. The news follows Friday’s announcement of 420 potential job cuts at high street bookmaker William Hill.

Responding to the reports John Park, Assistant General Secretary at betting shop workers’ union Community, said: “Clearly we will need to see the full details of what the government is proposing before we can assess the full implications for the jobs and working conditions of our members.

“Community’s betting shop members have expressed their own concerns about issues around Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, single staffing, problem gambling and some of the abuse at work that our members can experience on a daily basis. What is important is that any proposed changes in policy are joined-up across government and the implications for the industry and our members’ jobs are fully understood by all concerned.

“We are committed to continuing constructive dialogue and engagement with the industry, politicians and government in the best interests of our betting shop members. We want our members to have secure jobs and it’s important that any proposed regulatory changes do not trigger knee-jerk job cuts and that every opportunity to make betting shops a responsible and sustainable part of UK high streets is taken.”