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Finance Bill

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's intervention. That suggestion was supported by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association. Our party supports the proposal, along with the association's other suggestion, which is to reverse the reduction in the maximum stake from £2 to £1. Our amendment is fully supported by the industry that we seek to help. Gaming arcades and the economies that they support are fundamental parts of their local communities. Indeed, the adult gaming centres in which B3 machines are often found support family entertainment centres, which support the wider communities and economies of which they form part. Nick Harding of BACTA says that there is already evidence to suggest that"““at this rate, half the industry will be gone in six months.””" He also said that seaside operators are"““dying on their feet as a result of the Gambling Act.””" My amendment seeks to challenge that. Although the trigger for the problem was created by another Department—the Department for Culture, Media and Sport—the consequences are Treasury-related. They include small family-run businesses potentially going out of business and local jobs being lost.