To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

(1) what steps she plans to take to ensure the safety of staff and customers in betting shops;

(2) what recent discussions she has had with the gambling industry on single-staffing in betting shops.

I have met with the gambling industry, including representatives of the betting industry, on a number of occasions to discuss a range of matters. However the Health and Safety Executive are responsible for policy relating to safety in the workplace. Regardless, under the Gambling Act, local authorities have powers to consider whether a betting shop's premises licence is suitable in public protection terms, including for example, whether a particular premises has an association with crime or disorder. If there is evidence of crime associated with a betting shop, the licensing authority can review the licence and, potentially, consider a number of sanctions, such as restricting opening times, requiring security measures, such as the installation of CCTV or the recruitment of security staff, or even suspending the licence.