5-01-04

Barrett welcomes Edinburgh’s record lottery cash share

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today welcomed new figures showing Edinburgh's share of lottery cash to be at its highest since the National Lottery began.

Answers to parliamentary questions tabled by Mr Barrett, combined with latest figures from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, show that 448 lottery awards were made to projects in Edinburgh last year, up from 302 in 2002. 
The figures also showed that Edinburgh's overall share of allocated lottery cash in 2003 was 3.2%, breaking the previous record of 3.15% in 1996 and up from just 0.9% in 2002.

In a statement, John Barrett MP said:

"Early last year, there were major concerns that for whatever reason, Edinburgh's share of lottery cash was low and on the slide.  However, these new figures show a record share of money for Scotland's capital in 2003, almost £34 million in total.

"One of the biggest arguments for a national lottery was the financial contribution it would make to good causes, especially smaller community groups.  That is why it is so important for local organisations and charity groups to make applications through the various lottery bodies. 

"By phoning the Awards for All helpline on 0845 600 2040, local groups can find out more information on whether they are eligible for lottery money and get further details on how to apply. I will certainly be encouraging groups in my own constituency to do so."

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Notes to Editors

• Answers to Parliamentary questions tabled by John Barrett and additional information received through the website of the Department of Culture Media and Sport gave the following information.

	Value of awards (£)
	UK	City of Edinburgh Local Authority Area	Edinburgh Share of UK Award(%)
1995	983,431,694	28,466,092	2.894
1996	1,715,275,728	54,088,417	3.153
1997	2,403,172,676	25,138,409	1.046
1998	2,493,993,688	25,232,659	1.012
1999	1,392,743,642	26,672,871	1.915
2000	1,154,319,056	13,572,761	1.176
2001	1,455,245,450	34,795,749	2.391
2002	1,351,465,150	11,978,552	0.886
2003	1,069,735,912	33,797,063	3.159

             
               
• 'Awards for All Scotland' is a special lottery grants programme for small community groups looking for small sums of money.  Awards for All's main aim is to fund projects which involve people in their community, bringing them together in a wide range of different activities.  Applications can be made at any time, the application form is simple and a decision is given within three months.  More information is available by telephoning 0845 600 2040 or visiting www.awardsforall.org.uk/scotland/index.html

• Groups can apply if they
- are a non-profit group based in Scotland
- need between £500 and £5000
- can spend your grant within one year
- have a constitution or set of rules which you have adopted
- have a bank or building society account in the name of your group
- have annual accounts or statements of income and expenditure
- have an annual income last year was under £20,000

Sports groups should be affiliated to the relevant governing body, if this is required for safety.

• Larger groups and charities can apply to the National Opportunities Fund, the Heritage Fund and the Communities Fund.