Standing Up for British Racing

Yesterday racing across Britain came to a standstill. Fixtures at Lingfield, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton were all rescheduled so that the industry could unite in Westminster to make its voice heard on the Government’s proposed rise in betting tax.

The Axe the Racing Tax campaign is about one simple thing: protecting the future of British racing. An independent study commissioned by the British Horseracing Authority has forecast that the proposed rise would cost the sport £330 million over the next five years, with more than 2,700 jobs at risk in the first year alone.

Here in Newbury and West Berkshire, racing is far more than a sport. Newbury Racecourse is part of our community identity, supporting local jobs and bringing thousands of visitors into the town every year. If this new tax goes ahead, it won’t just hit trainers, jockeys and stable staff - it will ripple out to local hotels, pubs, shops and small businesses too.

That’s why I support the Axe the Racing Tax campaign. The Government must rethink this proposal before lasting damage is done. Racing has been part of our heritage for centuries, and it still plays a vital role in our economy and rural way of life today.