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Maureen Burke

Maureen Burke

Labour — Glasgow North East

Speaking in the House of Commons on 16 July 2025

Debate

Adults at risk due to gambling addiction

Contribution

I rise to present this petition on behalf of the family of Marc Spalding. Like too many families, their lives have been devastated as a consequence of the harm caused by gambling addiction. I am incredibly moved that through their pain, Marc’s mother and sister are advocating for others who may be experiencing a similar situation. Currently, families are not empowered to raise concerns with the appropriate authorities on behalf of a loved one struggling with a gambling addiction. This lack of agency often leaves them feeling helpless. This petition, in addition to one that received 3,280 signatures, calls for legislative reform to strengthen the rights of family members in these circumstances. The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to ensure NHS and local authority advocacy services allow for families to advocate for their ‘at risk’ adult members and improve GP training in the area of gambling addiction utilising the proposed gambling operator levy. And the petitioners remain, etc.” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of the family of Marc Spalding, Declares that legislation should be strengthened to allow family members to advocate for ‘at risk’ adults who pose a risk to their own health and safety through gambling addition with GPs and local authorities where existing advocacy services do not currently apply; furthermore the training for GPs and other agencies around identifying the signs of gambling addiction and understanding the appropriate referral routes should be enhanced using the proposed gambling operator levy. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to ensure NHS and local authority advocacy services allow for families to advocate for their ‘at risk’ adult members and improve GP training in the area of gambling addiction utilising the proposed gambling operator levy. And the petitioners remain, etc.] [P003096]

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