§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the revisions to the National Lottery system will affect the distribution of funds to seaside resorts. [124764]
§ Estelle MorrisThe changes to the lottery announced on 3 July 2003 include proposals to make it easier to apply for funding, to involve the public in how lottery money is spent and to make sure it's spent wisely. This should encourage people to play the lottery which, in turn, will provide revenue for the good causes and benefit all areas. Since the introduction of the 1998 Lottery Act and changes to policy directions, distributors have increasingly focussed on areas of social and economic deprivation including seaside resorts. The National Lottery has funded, and continues 37W to fund, numerous projects which bring widespread benefits to many seaside communities across the country.