Levy reform gets another airing but appears no nearer to becoming reality

It would be fair to say the House of Commons was not exactly packed to the rafters to discuss horseracing's economic contribution to the British economy last Thursday.

That might not have been entirely surprising given it was the last bit of parliamentary business before MPs headed off for conference season and it would seem many had decided to get a head start.

Nevertheless, it gave Matt Hancock the opportunity to raise an issue close to the hearts of both himself and a number of his West Suffolk constituents, that of racing's finances and their desire for the government to step in to help improve them.