Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Accepted
Paragraph: 113
Publish timetable for White Paper proposals delivery, including statutory levy and minimising transition disruption.
Recommendation
We reaffirm our recommendation for the Government to set out a timetable for the delivery of each of the White Paper’s main proposals, including implementation of the statutory levy, in response to this report. The Government should set out how it will minimise disruption to services currently funded under the voluntary system during the transition to the statutory levy.
Government Response Summary
The government will publish its statutory levy consultation response soon, aiming to introduce the levy via secondary legislation by summer, with funding flowing thereafter. GambleAware has received £32 million in regulatory settlement funds, including a system stabilisation fund, to minimise disruption during the transition.
Paragraph Reference:
113
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government will publish its response to the consultation on the statutory levy setting out final decisions in the coming weeks. We remain on track to introduce the levy via secondary legislation by this summer with levy funding flowing to organisations as soon as possible thereafter. It is essential for the Government that there is minimal disruption to service provision in the transition period to the statutory levy being in force. In August 2023, the Gambling Commission approved the transfer of around £32 million in regulatory settlement funds to GambleAware in accordance with its Statement of Principles. GambleAware’s regulatory settlement-funded provision includes the creation of a system stabilisation fund to provide financial support to manage disruption among organisations in the system of gambling harm prevention, support and treatment across England, Scotland and Wales during the transition period to the statutory levy. Further details of commissioning and evaluation plans are available from GambleAware. As part of the regulatory settlement, funds will also be made available to further accelerate GambleAware’s commissioning plans in relation to reducing disparities in outcomes, experience and access; developing an integrated system; improving access through digital transformation; and research. The government and the Gambling Commission expect operators to continue to make annual financial contributions as required by the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice until the statutory levy is in force. The Gambling Commission has consulted on removing this requirement once the statutory levy is created, as it is likely that the LCCP RET list will no longer be relevant or needed.