Shapps tweeted the ad last night, stating: "Cuts bingo and beer tax helping hardworking people do more of the things they enjoy. RT to spread the word." The ad features the word "Bingo!" made with multi-coloured bingo balls.
cuts bingo & beer tax helping hardworking people do more of the things they enjoy. RT to spread the word
— Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps)
It follows the announcement by Chancellor George Osborne yesterday that taxes on bingo halls would be halved from 20% to 10%, while there is to be a 1p cut in beer duty.
When speaking on the BBC’s Newsnight programme, Liberal-Democrat Treasury minister Danny Alexander commented that the ad was "rather patronising" and that it "demeans some sensible things in the Budget".
Critics of the ad have begun using the hashtag #LetThemEatBingo.
When asked about the ad, Osborne told the 'Today' programme on BBC Radio 4: "I think it’s very good that people know we’re helping the brewing industry and part of the Budget is about supporting jobs in Britain. These industries employ many thousands of people."
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