Stars wade in on bet tax row

FOOTIE great Michael Owen has joined a host of stars urging Rachel Reeves to rethink betting tax rises - despite those in favour saying the extra cash could help children in poverty.

- BY ANDY LINES Chief Reporter

The 45-year-old racehorse owner and ex-England striker was one of 363 big names from the world of racing who signed a letter to the Treasury.

They claim any increase would devastate the sport and put thousands of jobs at risk.

But many want the higher tax to be imposed, with former PM Gordon Brown recently calling in the Mirror for the hike on the gambling industry, saying it could raise £3.2billion and lift 500,000 children out of poverty.