UK gambling sees its third ministerial leadership change in less than nine months, as the government confirms the appointment of Nigel Adams, MP for Selby & Ainsty (North Yorkshire), as new Minister of State for Sport, Media & Creative Industries.
Working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), Adams will replace current incumbent Mims Davies who was appointed as UK Minister for Sport and Civil Society last November, replacing Tracey Crouch, who resigned from the position following the government’s delay on implementing FOBTs £2 reductions.
In his remit, Adams will further replace outgoing Digital Minister Margot James, who has chosen not to serve new UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration over its perceived support of a “No Deal Brexit”. On Tuesday morning, Mims Davies tweeted her support Nigel Adams appointment, confirming that she had taken a position at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Undertaking UK politics biggest ever cabinet reshuffle, last week the office of PM Johnson confirmed the appointment of Nicky Morgan as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Moving forward, a new DCMS team will oversee the regulatory development, implementation and oversight of gambling laws formed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Adams is described as Boris Johnson stalwart, who quit his former position as under-secretary of state for Wales in protest of Theresa May’s Brexit talks with Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition, as reported by SBC News.
As UK digital minister, Adams is expected to detail further insight on the Conservative government’s business pledge to deliver 100% fibre broadband for all UK citizens by 2025.