A LOTT FAIRER

Labour to fund areas that buy most tickets

funds for good causes between 2010 and 2017. Figures from researchers GPS Culture showed just five of the 41 constituencies in the area received more in lottery funds than they contributed to ticket sales.

Now Labour is pledging to make greater transparency – in particular releasing data on ticket sales – a condition of the next lottery licence.

The licence, currently held by Camelot, is due for renewal in 2023 with the process beginning next year. Labour will also consult on introducing mechanisms to make sure communities have a say in how cash is spent.

Shadow culture secretary Tom Watson said: “The National Lottery funds brilliant causes from arts organisations to

SHADOW CULTURE SECRETARY

sports clubs. But for far too long there has been concern that funding distribution is unfair. Areas that buy a bulk of tickets, like our industrial towns and coalfield communities, feel that they don’t get their fair share of money for good causes.

“That’s why Labour will make the Lottery more transparent so people can see where money is spent. It’s time for our communities to take more control.”

Last year more than 30 Labour MPS urged Camelot for a review, fearing that funds were “biased” towards big cities.

And they claimed players in some poorer areas were “subsidising” community projects in wealthier districts.

The 10 areas that received most cash last year were in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.

Camelot said it was responsible only for selling the tickets, with funding handled by 12 independent distributors.

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