Government writes off England's World Cup chances before team even fly to Brazil | Mail Online
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2627336/Government-writes-Englands-World-Cup-chances-team-fly-Brazil-plans-relax-drinking-laws-games-based-high-probability-squad-not-reach-later-matches.html#ixzz322XbI8sX
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The impact assessment said: ‘While England are certain to be playing in the matches in the first period, there is a high probability that they will not be playing in the later matches.’
The Home Office has decided there is a ¿high probability¿ that England will not make it into the knock out games
The gloomy predictions are based on bookies odds, officials said.
‘We have used odds from Betfair.com13 implying that England have a 54% probability of progressing past the group stage and an 11 per cent probability of progressing past the quarter-finals, allowing us to estimate the expected benefits.’
Labour's Lord Rosser highlighted the comments, saying: ‘So it's good to know what the Government thinks of England's prospects.'
Home Office minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach said the comments in the paper were 'a matter of opinion'.
He added: 'I'm sure other peers will have different views on that issue.’
A Home Office spokeswoman said: ‘Because we want everyone to get behind the England football team this summer, the Government has extended licensing hours so fans can watch England games in pubs.
‘As part of the process for changing licensing hours, the Government is obliged to carry out a formal impact assessment.
‘As part of that assessment, officials used odds from Betfair to estimate the probability of England playing in the knock-out stages.
'The Government is of course 100% behind the England football team and we wish the players every success in the World Cup.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2627336/Government-writes-Englands-World-Cup-chances-team-fly-Brazil-plans-relax-drinking-laws-games-based-high-probability-squad-not-reach-later-matches.html#ixzz322XbI8sX
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