Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Horse Racing

Thursday 18 November 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department provided 21 million from the sport survival package to support horse racing.
  • Racecourses received an additional 28 million in cash-flow and hardship funding.
  • Horserace Betting Levy Board contributed 97 million in 2019-20 to support the sport.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matthew Hancock Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the need to support British horse racing, particularly in areas like Newmarket that are heavily dependent on it.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help support horse racing. I am concerned about the impact of the pandemic and the need for ongoing support for a sport that contributes significantly to the UK economy and soft power.

Answer from Chris Philp

Racecourses are accessing £21 million from the sport survival package. They have also had £28 million in cash-flow and hardship funding, in addition to which the Horserace Betting Levy Board provided £97 million in 2019-20 to support the sport.

Answered
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Q2 Matthew Hancock Con
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the importance of horse racing to the UK economy, with one in three jobs in Newmarket being connected to horse racing. The need for strengthening the horserace betting levy is highlighted.

Question

I am very grateful for the work that the Department and the Minister have done in the pandemic to support horse racing, but as a major contributor to the economy and soft power, and with one in three jobs in Newmarket in my constituency connected with horse racing, is it not vital that we strengthen further the horserace betting levy to ensure that all betting makes a contribution and to ensure that we get the support for horse racing, which is such a glorious sport?

Answer from Chris Philp

I agree entirely about the importance of horse racing to the UK, both economically and more generally. The levy contributed £97 million in 73 the year before the pandemic, about 10% more than the forecast. Even in the pandemic year 2020-21, it contributed £80 million, so generally speaking the levy has returned more money than was initially expected.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about strengthening the horserace betting levy further to ensure better support for horse racing. The answer provided statistics on current contributions but did not commit to any specific actions or plans to strengthen the levy.

How: Under Review, Always Willing To Look At Evidence

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