Lottery shake-up could cost Scots

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has raised
concerns that Scottish charities could lose out under proposed
changes to the lottery announced last week.

Under the changes, the merger of the Community Fund and New
Opportunities Fund would go ahead to create the single biggest
distributor, controlling 50 per cent of money intended for good
causes.

“We are concerned about the decision-making strategies for the new
body,” said a SCVO spokesperson. While the Community Fund has a
Scottish committee with responsibility for grant-making decisions,
the NOF is not devolved at all.

The SCVO is concerned that Scottish charities will lose out on
money for good causes if more is hived off for “government
priorities” – such as the Olympics.

The Community Fund supports voluntary groups and, often, less
popular causes, while the New Opportunities Fund awards grants in
line with government priorities.

The SCVO is calling for a devolved lottery distributor for
Scotland, while the Scottish executive has called for the new body
to contain a Scottish committee.

More from Community Care

Comments are closed.