Fred Mackintosh signs petition supporting local Bingo Halls

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Aug 2009

Along with a number of other Liberal Democrat MPs and MSPs, South Edinburgh Liberal Democrat challenger Fred Mackintosh has signed a Downing Street petition urging the Prime Minister not to increase duty on bingo.

Fred Mackintosh is concerned that Labour's tax increase on bingo will effect many local people

Voting on the Finance Bill in July the Liberal Democrats were the only major party to oppose the increase in bingo duty. With the pressure of the recession and increased taxes Bingo clubs across Scotland are struggling to continue. The Labour Government's Finance Bill increases taxation on bingo from 15% to 22%

Commenting after visiting Royal Bingo Club in Gilmerton, Fred Mackintosh said: "Labour's decision to introduce duty increases on bingo is wholly misguided. The Tories big talk about supporting Bingo, but sat on their hands when it came to voting.

"Hundreds of local people use the Royal Bingo Club in Gilmerton every week. It is an important centre of entertainment. The Liberal Democrats were the only major party to back a move to halt the increase in bingo duty."

Over 60 bingo clubs across the UK have closed in the last two years. The situation for many of the others is bleak. While factors such as the smoking ban have played a part in the decline, the main concern is taxation.

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Sign the petition on the Number 10 Website.