THE UK Government has bowed to pressure and U-turned on plans to delay a cut in betting machine stakes.

The cut to a maximum stake from £100 to £2 was to be been delayed from next April to October.

However, a ministerial resignation and revolt of Tory MPs led to the announcement to implement the reduction in April after all.

The Betting industry says the stake cut is a de-facto ban on fixed odds betting machines and it will lead to shop closures and thousands of job losses, while campaigners have welcomed the move.

Culture Secretary, Jeremy Wright, made the announcement in writing to the House of Commons.

Ronnie Cowan SNP MP who is vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on FOBTs, said: “This is an issue that I and others have campaigned on for a number of years as we believe it’s an important step in reducing gambling related harm.

“The cross party campaign to reduce the maximum unit stake on these machines has listened to the evidence and testimonies of individuals and loved ones who, for some, have lost everything to gambling addiction.

"The UK government has finally come to its senses and listened to the growing chorus of calls to act now, not later."

A spokesman for the Association of British Bookmakers, said: “Betting shops will comply with the timing that the Government sets for the £2 stake implementation.”