Bacta Meet with Shadow Secretary as Labour Party Engagement Programme Progresses

Bacta’s engagement programme with a potential incoming Labour government has stepped up a gear with Executive Director George McGregor and Luxury Leisure chief executive officer Tom Allison participating in a CEO round table with the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Thangam Debbonaire MP.

The roundtable which was hosted by the Betting and Gaming Council is the latest initiative that Bacta has undertaken with the Labour Party and follows the opening of January’s EAG Expo by Lord McNicol of West Kilbride who served as Labour Party General Secretary between 2011 and 2018 and February’s meeting with North West England Labour Party candidates including Patrick Hurley (Southport), Michelle Scrogham (Barrow & Furness), and Chris Webb (Blackpool South) all of whom are likely to be elected to the House of Commons according to the latest opinion polls.

Reflecting on the CEO Roundtable and Bacta’s broader political engagement programme, George McGregor said: “This was the first opportunity the Shadow DCMS Secretary had to engage with the industry in such a way and it was a very positive meeting.

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“Ours is a complex industry and it is incredibly valuable to be able to draw on the experience of members such as Tom Allison who are able to provide their own insight to the unique challenges faced by operators not least the inability to share rising business costs with machine players and as a result the necessity of having a regular stake and prize review to keep pace with inflation and to remain competitive.”

He added: “The General Election has to take place by January 28th 2025 and Bacta is taking every opportunity to engage with politicians and in particular to ensure that an incoming Minister understands how the business works and is aware of the contributions made by Bacta members to communities and local economies throughout the country.

“Political engagement is a key part of the comprehensive package of Bacta services and is central to our long-standing commitment to promote and protect members interests.”