Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


Churches back Tracey Crouch over delay in FOBT limits 


Leaders of churches and Christian organisations have spoken out in support of Tracey Crouch following her resignation as the minister responsible for gambling

 

 
The government have delayed introducing a £2 limit on FOBTs until October 2019. Following a wide ranging consultation the government announced earlier this year that the stake on these machines in betting shops would be cut from £100 to £2 to provide greater protection for the most vulnerable and limit the harm caused by problem gambling.
 
The statement, from leaders in the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the United Reformed Church, the Evangelical Alliance, CARE and Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, supports Crouch’s resignation.
 
“For the last five years, since she raised the issue of the harmful impact of FOBTs in her Chatham constituency in a debate in Parliament, Tracey Crouch has been committed to achieving a sensible maximum stake as soon as possible. As a minister, she has shown unfailing loyalty to government policy, while not concealing her real concern. We echo the tributes that have been made to her consistent, principled approach.
 
“No valid reasons have been given for delaying implementation of the £2 stake. Individuals, families and communities will continue to suffer - at the cost, even, of more avoidable deaths - for six months beyond April 2019, unless the government accepts that the same reasons which led it to accept the change must lead it to bring the date forward.”
 
Mark Sheard, Chair of the Mission and Public Affairs Council, Church of England
Bala Gnanapragasam, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference
Rev Stephen Keyworth, Baptist Union of Great Britain
Rev John Proctor, General Secretary, United Reformed Church
Dr David Landrum, Director of Advocacy, Evangelical Alliance
Alison Mather, Director, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs
Nola Leach, Chief Executive, CARE
 
A similar coalition of churches and charities welcomed the government announcement in May 2018.

Baptist Times, 02/11/2018
    Post     Tweet
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
ba25report
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
ba25report
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
ba25report
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
ba25report
'We thank God for all the ways that he is graciously at work in and through us'
General Secretary Lynn Green celebrated the power of collaboration across Baptists Together in sharing three highlights from the past year
ba25report
'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment'
A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend
ba25report
     Latest News 
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast