Tracey Crouch resigns from government over gambling crackdown row
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Your support makes all the difference.Tracey Crouch has resigned as the sports minister after the government refused to back down on the timetable for reducing the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs).
She had lobbied unsuccessfully for the change to be made earlier than the planned date of October 2019.
Betting industry groups had reportedly said they would be ready to implement the cut by next April, but the government confirmed in the Budget that the change would not be made until next October.
The MP tweeted: "It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever."
In her resignation letter to Ms May, Ms Crouch said: "Unfortunately, implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests.
"From the time of the announcement to reduce stakes and its implementation, over £1.6 billion will be lost on these machines.
"In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling-related problems and, for that reason as much as any other, I believe this delay is unjustifiable.
"I know there is never a good time to resign and appreciate that this will be an unwelcome distraction, but as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said in the House this morning, it is a fact of government that ministers must adhere to collective responsibility and cannot disagree with policy, let alone when it is policy made against your wishes relating to your own portfolio."
This liveblog has now closed but you can see the updates below
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Labour grandee Margaret Hodge has appeared to criticise her party's taxation policy, as she told the Commons that parties should not be "punishing the wealthy".
Speaking in the Budget debate, she said:
"We can't keep promising excellent schools, effective policing and compassionate care if we refuse to raise the necessary money through tax.
"We can't keep pretending that punishing the wealthy is the solution to under-funding.
"We need to have a truthful conversation with voters about how much we need to raise in tax to fund public services."
This is from my colleague, Lizzy Buchan, who has just been to the regular Downing Street briefing - lots of questions about Tracey Crouch resignation speculation...
Asked if Tracey Crouch had resigned, the PM’s spokeswoman said: “No.”
Pressed on whether Ms Crouch was expected to, PM's spokesperson said: “I’m not going to comment on speculation.”
She said she was "not aware of any plans" for the PM to speak to Ms Crouch today nor if they had spoken so far.
The PM's official spokeswoman also denied that the fixed odd betting terminal plans had been delayed, saying: "We never confirmed a date until this week and we listened to stakeholders, including the APPG, who want it to happen before 2020 and that is what we are doing."
Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, is now closing the Budget speech in the Commons.
She accuses the Labour Party of wanting to create a "socialist superstate". Truss then claims she can "almost hear Momentum sharpening their pitchforks" at John McDonnell's support for the tax cuts for higher earners, outlined in Philip Hammond's Budget.
Speaking in the Commons, Truss also refused to u-turn on demands on to bring forward the date of the government's plans to crackdown on gambling at betting terminals, simply saying she was happy to discuss the issue with colleagues.
This may not be enough to convince Tracey Crouch, the sports minister who has made the demand, to remain in her government role.
Labour leadership's amendment to the Budget voted down by 313 to 246 - majority 67
Here is the motion published on the House of Commons order paper earlier today
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