Lottery good causes consultation 2006

In November 2005, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) launched a consultation on how Lottery money should be distributed among the 'good causes' after 2009. The NCA encouraged members to respond to the DCMS consultation, emphasising how much good work has been done with Lottery funding and how important it is to sustain this. The DCMS received 10,000 submissions and planned to respond to the consultation in June 2006.

To view the NCA response click here.

At present, 28 pence from every pound spent on the Lottery goes to good causes. The money is distributed in the following proportions:

• 50% Health, Education, Environment, Community and Charity
• 16.67 % Arts
• 16.67% Sports
• 16.67% Heritage

The 50% for Health, Education, Environment, Community and Charity, which is distributed by the Big Lottery Fund, is fixed. The remaining proportions are guaranteed only until 2009. The DCMS says that none of the good causes will be abolished. The proportions, however, are open to review. In short, each sector must make its case for continuing to receive its current share of funding, or for receiving an increased share. Given that Lottery funding will be used for the Olympic Games in 2012, the arts need to make their case particularly strongly.

In February 2006, the NCA attended an Arts Council seminar on the matter with David Lammy MP, Minister for Culture, and Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive, Arts Council England (ACE). There was an interesting and wide-ranging discussion about how Lottery funding should develop after 2009. The NCA re-opened the question of endowments and noted that ACE, as a Lottery distributor, must solicit and listen to feedback from artists.

Return to arts funding system