§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total amount of government match-funding given to the foot and mouth disease relief charities to date; and how this has been allocated to each charity. [HL317]
§ Lord WhittyThe Countryside Agency is implementing in England the Government's commitment to match donations from the public to help charities to alleviate hardship as a result of foot and mouth disease. Up until the 16 July it had made payments totalling £6,834,000 in respect of England. Further payments are being processed.
The breakdown of funding is as follows: Rural Stress Information £332,000; Cumbrian Community Foundation £91,843; the Hadfield Trust £127,000; the ARC Addington Fund £2,044,000; and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution £4,240,000.
The match funding is allocated on a pound for pound basis and is dependent on the charity having raised £25,000 or more in public donations.
The agency has agreed to work in partnership with the Welsh Assembly to operate a scheme in Wales. Two payments totalling £1,051,398 have been made under this scheme: the £1,003,817 to the Addington Fund and £47,581 to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
To date only one application has been received by the Scottish Executive. This is currently being processed. Further applications are expected before the closing date of 31 July.