Lotto Funding Clears First Hurdle

Charities and other projects in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are set to benefit from the UK National Lottery for the first time.

The National Lottery Bill was passed unopposed in the its second reading in the House of Lords on Monday evening.

The bill gives The Big Lottery Fund a statutory footing and extends the lottery operator's licence to 15 years.

It also allows the fund to allocate grants to projects in the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Lord Davies of Oldham, for the Government, said: "The bill has the aim of modernising and simplifying the way lottery grants are distributed and increasing public involvement."

He said it aimed to get grants paid as quickly as possible and avoid the build-up of unspent bank balances.

"The key principles behind the bill are to open up the Lottery, make it fairer and more accessible for its players and their communities, and ensure best value for beneficiaries," he explained.