National Lottery Bill

moved Amendment No. 3:"Page 5, line 18, at end insert—" ““(2A)   After subsection (3) insert— ““(3A)   Not less than 60 per cent of the sum allocated under subsection (3)(d) shall be allocated to bodies (other than public bodies or local authorities) whose activities are carried on not for profit.”””” The noble Lord said: The Big Lottery Fund board has given a commitment that 60 to 70 per cent of its funding will go to the voluntary and community sector and that it will report on this commitment. That has been echoed by the Secretary of State and the Minister responsible for the National Lottery Bill, including at Second Reading, in Committee and on Report in the other place. Indeed, Mr Purnell said at Second Reading:"““We guarantee that between 60 and 70 per cent. of Big Lottery Fund grants will go to the voluntary sector””.—[Official Report, Commons, 14/6/05; col. 218.]" The voluntary and community sector is naturally concerned that the merger of the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund could lead to a net reduction in funding for the sector. Therefore, while these ministerial assurances are welcome, voluntary organisations are concerned that they should be meaningful and lasting—that means ““in the Bill””. The Government, however, have rejected attempts to enshrine in the Bill the proportion of funding allocated to the voluntary and community sector on the basis that it is not for the Government to determine. That is slightly contradictory to the previous debate. However, the nature of the charitable expenditure good cause means that the Government have always determined the proportion of funding allocated to the voluntary and community sector. The charitable expenditure good cause is distinct from the others, because it is on the basis of the type of organisation being funded, rather than the activity. Thus, the allocation to this good cause has in fact been an allocation to the voluntary and community sector. We are therefore seeking to have a statement in the Bill that the Government are committed to ensuring that 60 per cent to 70 per cent of BLF funding will go to the sector on an organisational and not a purpose basis. We have every faith in the Big Lottery Fund’s assurances but it is the Government who make the policy, as the Minister has made quite clear. We on these Benches wish to see an amendment made to the Bill. I beg to move.