Press release - 25 April 2006

NCA hails major Government commitment on Lottery independence

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) today applauded a Government commitment to bring in an amendment to the National Lottery Bill, compelling Lottery distributors such as the Big Lottery Fund and the Arts Councils to publish information on how they have maintained their independence. This step represents an unprecedented level of transparency, providing a much-needed boost to public confidence in the Lottery.

The NCA has been campaigning for such an amendment since late 2005, recently joining with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) to lobby peers on an issue that cuts across sectors. The NCA was therefore delighted that Labour peer Lord Davies of Oldham yesterday "categorically" said he would seek to propose an amendment at Third Reading of the Lottery Bill. This amendment will enshrine in law a voluntary commitment made by the Lottery distributors, who have agreed to cover their independence from Government, and the distinction between Lottery funding and state spending, in their annual reports.

Victoria Todd, NCA Director, said:

"Yesterday's debate in the Lords marked a watershed in the proud history of the National Lottery. For the first time, the Government has agreed with the opposition that the Lottery needs to work to maintain its independence, and that distributors of Lottery money should be compelled to explain in their annual reports how they have maintained their distance from Government. This measure is just what is needed, and is something the NCA has been consistently calling for since last year. It will boost public confidence, encourage organisations working in the arts, and is a great credit to the Government, which is taking a landmark step to make Lottery funding more transparent than ever before."

ENDS

Notes to editors: 1. For further information please contact the NCA, 1 Kingly St, London W1B 5PA. Telephone: 020 7287 3777. Fax: 020 7287 4777. Email: nca@artscampaign.org.uk. Website: www.artscampaign.org.uk

2. The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) is the UK's only independent lobbying organisation representing all the arts. It provides a voice for the arts world in all its diversity. It seeks to safeguard, promote and develop the arts and win public and political recognition for the importance of the arts as a key element in our national culture.

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