One of five senior industry leaders to be interviewed by trade paper Coinslot, Sascha Blodau, General Manager of MERKUR UK provided a succinct analysis of the Chancellor’s financial statement highlighting both the positives and what he believes represent missed opportunities. 

Describing what he felt constituted a reasonable job in difficult circumstances he highlighted two economic challenges, namely the cost of living crisis and shortages in the labor market. 

Sascha said: “Our businesses rely on people having sufficient levels of disposable income and the measures to freeze fuel duty and the extension of the energy price guarantee will help in this respect.”
He added: “In common with all businesses, recruitment remains a major issue and providing access to 30-hours a week of free childcare, even though the plan will be rolled-out from 2024, will enable more parents to return to work.”

As a major investor in the UK, MERKUR welcomed the projected return to economic growth of 1.8 percent but also cast doubt on whether inflation would drop to 2.9 percent from a high of 10.1 percent as predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

The main causes for concern relate to the decision to plough ahead with the increase in Corporation Tax and the failure to address Machine Games Duty (MGD). On this matter, Sascha Blodau stated: “Ours is the only sector of the economy which by law is unable to raise its prices (machine stakes) and share increased costs with our customers”; adding that  “a cut in Machine Games Duty would have provided some assistance and we will continue to support the lobbying activities of trade bodies and the Gambling Business Group to help achieve this objective.”