National Lottery (Hansard, 6 March 2003)

§ Mr. Watts
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in increasing Lottery funds allocated to coalfield areas. [100291]

§ Mr. Caborn
The Government have encouraged Lottery distributors to work with each other and with local organisations and agencies to increase the capacity within coalfield areas to produce successful Lottery applications. In addition, a number of coalfield areas are benefiting from the Fair Share Initiative launched in June 2001. Prior to the Lottery reforms in August 1998, the amount awarded per capita to coalfield areas was approximately 45 per cent. of the amount awarded to Great Britain on a per capita basis since the Lottery's inception. This figure had increased to 62 per cent. by November 2002.

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list Lottery grants awarded to projects connected with(a) mental health among young people and (b) combating antisocial behaviour. [100773]

§ Mr. Caborn
Lottery distributors have funded a range of projects connected with mental health among young people and combating anti-social behaviour. For example, the New Opportunities Fund Healthy Living Centres programme has made awards worth over £204 million to 257 projects in England. Of these, 75 per cent. stated on their application forms that they would be undertaking work to promote good mental health. A significant number of these schemes are also working with young people.
The New Opportunities Fund has made £38.75 million available to its Activities for Young People programme, which has opened up opportunities for school leavers who are at risk of social exclusion. The 1170W Fund has also awarded £8.8 million to the Youth Justice Board to run projects engaging young people most at risk of offending through a diverse range of activities.
The Community Fund has estimated that, over the last 12 months, it has made 94 grants totalling £7,699,694 to projects aimed at young people with mental health issues, and 60 grants totalling £6,203,333 to projects aimed at combating anti-social behaviour among young people.