Over 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for a targeted levy on online gambling operators, with Luke Myer MP lending his full support to this important cause. The petition aims to secure increased funding to tackle child poverty, particularly in areas facing high deprivation, such as Middlesbrough.
The movement, supported by MPs across the political spectrum, urges the government to raise the Remote Betting Duty and Remote Gaming Duty, currently among the lowest in Europe. The revenue would be ringfenced to fund vital initiatives to combat child poverty, including improvements in education, healthcare, and housing for disadvantaged families.
Luke Myer has long been a strong advocate for addressing child poverty on Teesside. As a councillor, he delivered Redcar & Cleveland’s Child Poverty Strategy, and opened new family centres. As MP, he continues to champion economic fairness. He has called to scrap the two-child limit, backed the expansion of free school meals and written to the Chancellor to push for this targeted levy. His focus remains firmly on the needs of local families.
Luke Myer MP said:
“Teesside has a proud history of resilience, but we also face harsh realities, including unacceptably high child poverty rates. This proposal offers a practical, funded, and fair solution that could relieve pressure on public services while directly helping to reduce poverty.
“I know the vast majority of people who enjoy a flutter do so sensibly. This is not about telling people how to live their lives – it is about asking the biggest online operators to play their part. When profits in offshore accounts soar while child poverty rises in communities like ours, something is out of balance. Responsibility has to sit with these firms making billions from highly addictive products, and they should contribute fairly to the communities who bear the cost.”
The call for higher taxes on online gambling comes amid concerns that UK-based gambling firms pay lower taxes than their international counterparts. Supporters argue that a stronger tax system would reduce gambling-related harm and provide vital funds for poverty reduction. Charities like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have endorsed the proposal, warning that without targeted action, child poverty will continue to rise.