Betting shops to open late all year round

Betting shops are to be allowed to stay open until late at night all year round to prevent the seasonal layoff of around 500 staff.

The change is being made in the Finance Bill, which will scrap an 80-year-old rule which forced betting shops to close at 6.30pm for six months of the year.

They will now be allowed to open until 10pm all year round to give them a better chance of ...