BHA seeks government engagement on range of topics - including levy review

The BHA has written to the government requesting a meeting to discuss the levy review in a bid to accelerate efforts around levy reform.

British racing’s governing body has contacted Baroness Twycross, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport minister responsible for racing and gambling, and secretary of state Lisa Nandy to arrange an in-person meeting on a "range of topics".

A review of the levy had been due to conclude in April as part of the proposals set out in the previous government's gambling white paper. British racing's leadership and bookmakers were said to have been close to a deal but that was scuppered when former prime minister Rishi Sunak called a general election in May.

There have been no signs of a return to the negotiating table since Labour won the general election in July, with the levy last reformed in 2017.

A BHA spokesperson said: "We have continued to engage senior officials on the issue of levy review. At the same time, we have raised the need to improve the sport's finances with several Labour MPs, including at the Labour Party conference last week.

"Baroness Twycross, the DCMS minister responsible for racing and gambling, has recently started an engagement programme with stakeholders. We have written to her, and secretary of state Lisa Nandy, requesting a meeting to discuss a range of topics including the levy review and we will be raising this with her soon in person."

Prime Minster Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Starmer walk into the parade ring before the St Leger at Doncaster last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Prime minister Keir Starmer attended St Leger day at Doncaster last month with his wife Lady Starmer, who also attended Eclipse day at Sandown in July just two days after the general election.

Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) president Charlie Parker last week told the gathering at the organisation's annual meeting in London that progress on levy reform was key to the sport's future amid uncertainty around prize-money levels for 2025 and beyond.

Parker said: "It is crucial that the much discussed and documented levy reform is put back on the political agenda as soon as possible.

"The BHA and the industry group which works closely with them must now deliver a revised deal as soon as possible or we risk seeing real impacts upon prize-money and an inability to make any progress on the areas that must be delivered."

Read more . . .

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From walking a dog on Doncaster racecourse to attending the Leger as the PM's wife - Lady Starmer and her love of racing 

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