Tom Watson Hails Iain Duncan Smith Over Fixed-Odds Betting Terminal Restrictions

17 May 2018, 08:37

Here's the rarest of things: the Deputy Labour leader has praised the government over their decision to restrict the amounts you can gamble on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

The maximum stake on FOBTs will be reduced from £100 to just £2 to attempt to reduce the harm caused by the machines, dubbed the "crack cocaine of gambling".

Nick Ferrari asked Tom Watson for his thoughts on the government's decision - and he was gushing in his praise for former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith.

Speaking on LBC, he said: "This is one of those rare occasions when an opposition MP is going to praise a government minister for their decision.

"Tracey Crouch, the Sports Minister, has spent a lot of time on this. She's listened to a cross-party campaign led by Conservative Iain Duncan Smith and my colleague Carolyn Harris."

Nick Ferrari spoke to Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson
Nick Ferrari spoke to Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson. Picture: LBC / Getty

Nick told him: "I never thought I'd hear the words of you praising Iain Duncan Smith out of your mouth, Mr Watson."

The Labour Deputy leader responded: "Neither did I, Nick, neither did I. But credit where it's due. They've run a very good campaign.

"These particular machines have such an impact particularly on people who are vulnerable to problem gambling or are gambling addicts."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

The Security Minister was speaking to LBC's NIck Ferrari

Security Minister agrees Home Office losing 17,000 asylum seekers is an 'absolute shambles'

Caller Sol speaks to Nick Ferrari from Jerusalem.

Caller describes terrifying moment he heard gunshots as two Palestinian attackers open fire in Jerusalem

Israel and Hamas have started a four-day truce

'We won't live with Hamas': Fragile four-day truce between Israel and Hamas is 'just a pause', insists Netanyahu adviser

Treasury Minister Gareth Davies confirms that there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

'We've always stood by pensioners;' Minister confirms there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

Sunak will quit even if the election loss is not as bad as feared, Kwasi Kwarteng has told LBC

Rishi Sunak will go even if Tories lose election narrowly but Braverman has no hope of taking over, Kwasi Kwarteng says

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

Exclusive
The education minister has said he respects the police's operational independence.

‘I’ve always respected the operational independence of the police’, education minister says amid Braverman ‘bias’ row

The Culture Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Sports Secretary caught offside by Nick Ferrari as she can't name Rugby adviser she's met with twice in last few months

Hamas are booby trapping nurseries, an IDF spokesperson has said as forces close in on Gaza

Hamas leaving booby traps in nurseries as it departs, says IDF spokesperson

The Justice Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari ahead of the state opening of Parliament

Government defends King's speech crackdown on crime as long-planned, not electioneering

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Rishi Sunak says police have the ‘absolute and total’ support of ministers

Rishi Sunak says police have ‘absolute and total’ support ahead of pro-Palestinian protest planned for Armistice Day

Exclusive
The former top Met cop says he thinks the march will be allowed to go ahead

Met 'won't bow to political pressure' over pro-Palestine Armistice Day protest, ex top cop says, amid calls to cancel

The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Top Tory can't tell Nick Ferrari where £38million of taxpayer cash will go in car crash interview on AI

Exclusive
Tony Abbott says the government should consider "physical" blocks on people crossing the English Channel.

British government needs to 'show more courage' to stop migrant Channel crossings, ex Australian PM tells LBC

'Justice should be done' says legal commentator as officer charged with Chris Kaba's murder will be named

'Justice should be done' says legal commentator as officer charged with Chris Kaba's murder will be named