Vol. 395 No. 5
29 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the Government's policy on the use of national lottery funds; if his attention has been drawn to concern that money is being used to compensate for cutbacks in Government spending, rather than funding additional areas of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
National lottery funds are used to finance desirable programmes in the designated beneficiary areas. A large proportion of the funds is used to assist local community and voluntary groups to provide services and facilities. Lottery funds are also used to finance national institutions, and major projects which operate under the aegis of Government Departments.
The availability of lottery funds has made possible the maintenance and expansion of spending programmes previously a charge on the Exchequer which otherwise would probably have been reduced or abolished in recent years. It has also enabled the Government to undertake some important new initiatives such as the commitment to a programme of national, regional and local sports centres. In my Budget Statement last week, I announced a major expansion of care services for the elderly which will be part-funded by a £3 million contribution from the national lottery.
There are many competing demands on lottery funds which cannot all be satisfied from the resources available for allocation. The Government are committed to ensuring an equitable pattern of spending on beneficiary activities in the interests of the community at large.
That concludes Question Time for today.
