Billions in Lottery funding under review as Exeter voices are invited
The Call for Evidence forms part of a review of National Lottery good cause funding, with the Government seeking views from residents, charities, voluntary organisations and grassroots groups on how funding should be allocated in the years ahead.
Since the National Lottery launched in 1994, more than £53 billion has been awarded to more than 680,000 projects across the UK, supporting community organisations, sport, arts and heritage initiatives.
The consultation is built around three objectives: funding what matters to local people, empowering communities and simplifying access to funding. The Government says it wants to reduce bureaucracy, make it easier for smaller organisations to apply for support and ensure funding reaches areas with the greatest need.
The consultation is open until Wednesday, September 23.
Steve Race, Labour MP for Exeter, welcomed the launch of the review.
Mr Race said: “The National Lottery has made a real difference to communities across Exeter, supporting clubs, organisations and local projects that bring people together and help our communities thrive.”
He added: “This Labour Government believes the funding raised by National Lottery players should reflect the priorities of the people who contribute to it. That means giving local communities a genuine voice over how funding is spent, ensuring it reaches the places that need it most, and making it easier for smaller organisations to access the support they deserve.”
Mr Race continued: “For too long, too many grassroots organisations have been held back by unnecessary bureaucracy and a system that can feel remote from the people it serves. Labour is turning that around by putting communities back at the centre of decision-making.”
He added: “I would encourage residents, charities and community organisations across Exeter to take part in the consultation, help shape the future of one of Britain’s great national institutions and make sure that Exeter will continue to benefit from good cause funding in the future.”
Baroness Twycross, minister for museums, gambling and heritage, said: “For three decades, the National Lottery has been a staple of British life. It is a genuine national institution, belonging to all of us – like the NHS or the BBC, woven into the fabric of our nation. With over £53 billion generated for more than 680,000 projects, its impact across the whole of the UK is undeniable.”
She added: “But we have to be honest; while the impact of this funding has been life-changing, the way it is distributed is showing its age. The current funding model was built for a world that has long since passed us by.”
Baroness Twycross said: “We need to flip that model, and as we look towards the next thirty years, we want to ensure the National Lottery is not just something that happens to people, but something that is driven by them.”
The review will consider how National Lottery funding can better reflect the priorities of local communities, give communities a greater voice in funding decisions, reduce bureaucracy for grassroots organisations, ensure funding reaches areas with the greatest need and protect the National Lottery while maximising its impact across the UK.
This content is sourced from www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and is shared for informational purposes only.
