Articles and Speeches

Control of the National Lottery
04-Nov-05, Windsor Express Article.

"For 10 years, the National Lottery has become part of our culture and way of life. Every Wednesday and Saturday, millions of people buy lottery tickets, happy in the knowledge that while they are able to enjoy the thrill of the game, they are also contributing to a wide range of charities and good causes.

Organisations are able to apply for lottery grants and funding to expand, improve their facilities and do more good in local communities. In Windsor, many good causes have received support since the National Lottery was set up. Macmillan Cancer Relief, Windsor and Maidenhead Volunteer Centre, and Charters School are just a few who have received much needed funding for extra nurses, school places and sports programmes.

However this much needed support could be under threat. Parliament is currently considering new laws on how lottery money should be held and spent. The new laws will give the Government more powers to decide where this money should be allocated.

I am deeply concerned that the Government will order money to be directed to causes that it deems worthy but which may be unpopular with the public. If this happens, there is a danger that public confidence in the National Lottery will alter and people will simply stop buying tickets.

Those organisations who rely on lottery funding to carry out their good work in Windsor could find themselves worse off and that cannot be in anyone’s interests. As a member of the committee considering this legislation I will fight to stop the Government from dictating how charitable donations are distributed."