British horse racing to go on STRIKE for the first time ever - with four events scrapped in backlash to Rachel Reeves' proposed betting tax rise
The unprecedented action has been taken as the sport protests at the proposed rise to betting tax.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves declined to rule out the possibility of raising tax on gambling after a thinktank said £3.2billion could be raised.
Such a move, however, has been met with widespread dismay in racing. To take a stand, the fixtures at Uttoxeter, Lingfield, Kempton and Carlisle have been cancelled. It is expected to cost the industry, which provides jobs for 85,000 people, £700,000.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has campaigned vociferously against the Treasury's intention to raise tax paid by bookmakers on gambling profits from racing and other sports 15 to 21 per cent – the same as slot machines and casinos.
Jim Mullen, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club which owns Kempton and Carlisle, has said tax rises would cause 'irreparable damage' to a sport that continues to be second only to football in terms of drawing in crowds.
Mullen told The Sunday Times: 'Our sport has to come together. By cancelling racing fixtures, we hope the government will take a moment to reflect on the harm this tax will cause.'
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