Lottery shake up will help target good causes, says Minister

Plans to shake up the National Lottery will help to maximise the money that goes to good causes, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has said today.

The Minister also defended plans for dedicated lottery games to help fund the Olympic Games if London's bid is successful.

"The government is committed to maximising returns to good causes by encouraging more competition into the next licence round... we cannot allow a situation to develop where there is only one bidder for the next licence," she said.

The announcement comes as part of the government's response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report into plans to reform the National Lottery.

Ms Jowell said that the government took concerns "seriously" and recognised the need to look again at how to maximise money for good causes.

She also said that the government did not accept the Committee's view that using the Lottery to help fund the Olympics affected the 'additionality' principle - which states that Lottery funding should support things that would not have taken place if they had depended on government funding alone.

"In fact, I think helping fund the Olympics is a perfect example of what the Lottery was set up to do," she said.

"The Games present a unique national opportunity. They have the potential to inspire greater participation in sport, increase the medal success of our elite athletes, and leave a lasting legacy of community facilities across the country."

(gmcg)