Pressure mounts on government as MPs look to bring forward cut to FOBT stakes

The government was coming under increasing pressure on Monday over its decision to implement the reduction in FOBT stakes to £2 in October next year, with MPs planning to table amendments to the Finance Bill in an attempt to bring forward the date.

The present timetable, which was revealed as part of chancellor Philip Hammond's Budget last month, has been criticised by campaigners and politicians from across the political divide who wanted the change to be implemented in April and also led to the resignation of sports minister Tracey Crouch, who described the decision as unjustifiable.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she would be tabling an amendment to the Finance Bill on Monday night, with the aim of forcing the government to implement the changes in April.