Amanda Martin MP has welcomed the Labour Government’s launch of a nationwide Call for Evidence to shape the future of National Lottery good cause funding, giving communities a greater say over how billions of pounds raised by Lottery players are invested in local priorities.
- Labour Government launches UK-wide Call for Evidence to ensure National Lottery funding reflects the priorities of communities across the UK.
- The review will help ensure funding reaches the communities that need it most, gives local people a greater voice in decision-making and cuts unnecessary bureaucracy for grassroots organisations.
- Since 1994, the National Lottery has generated more than £53 billion for over 680,000 projects, supporting sport, arts, heritage and community organisations across the country.
- The consultation forms part of Labour’s Plan for Change to devolve power, strengthen local communities and ensure public investment delivers the greatest possible impact.
Local residents, community organisations, charities and grassroots groups can take part in the survey, which can be found here: National Lottery good causes Call for Evidence.
For more than thirty years, the National Lottery has supported projects that strengthen communities, preserve local heritage, expand access to culture and sport, and provide opportunities for people of all ages. Since its launch in 1994, it has generated more than £53 billion for over 680,000 projects across the UK.
The Labour Government is now asking people, charities, voluntary organisations and community groups to help shape the future of this funding, ensuring it reflects modern priorities, reaches the places that need it most and removes barriers that prevent smaller grassroots organisations from accessing support.
The review is built around three key objectives: Fund What Matters to You, Empower Your Communities, and Simplify Access. It aims to put local people at the heart of decisions about Lottery funding, reduce unnecessary red tape, and make it easier for community organisations to secure funding that delivers real change.
The Government remains committed to protecting the National Lottery’s long-standing principle that good cause funding should complement public spending while ensuring communities have a stronger voice in deciding how funding is distributed in the future.
The consultation is open until 23 September 2026, with responses helping to shape future policy on how National Lottery funding is allocated across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Baroness Twycross, Minister for Museums, Gambling and Heritage, said: “For three decades, the National Lottery has been a staple of British life. It is a genuine national institution, belonging to all of us – like the NHS or the BBC, woven into the fabric of our nation. With over £53 billion generated for more than 680,000 projects, its impact across the whole of the UK is undeniable.
“But we have to be honest; while the impact of this funding has been life-changing, the way it is distributed is showing its age. The current funding model was built for a world that has long since passed us by.
“We need to flip that model, and as we look towards the next thirty years, we want to ensure the National Lottery is not just something that happens to people, but something that is driven by them.”
Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North said: “The National Lottery has made a real difference to communities across our constituency, supporting the clubs, organisations and local projects that bring people together and help our communities thrive.
“This Labour Government believes the funding raised by National Lottery players should reflect the priorities of the people who contribute to it. That means giving local communities a genuine voice over how funding is spent, ensuring it reaches the places that need it most, and making it easier for smaller organisations to access the support they deserve.
“For too long, too many grassroots organisations have been held back by unnecessary bureaucracy and a system that can feel remote from the communities it serves. Labour is turning that around by putting communities back at the centre of decision-making.
“I would encourage local residents, charities and community organisations across Portsmouth to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of one of Britain’s great national institutions.”
The Call for Evidence will consider how National Lottery good cause funding can:
- Better reflect the priorities of local communities.
- Give communities a greater voice in funding decisions.
- Reduce bureaucracy and simplify access for grassroots organisations.
- Ensure funding reaches areas with the greatest need.
- Protect the National Lottery for future generations while maximising its impact across the UK.
The consultation is open until midday on 23 September 2026, and the Government is encouraging responses from individuals, charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, local authorities and other stakeholders from every part of the United Kingdom. The review forms part of Labour’s Plan for Change, ensuring the National Lottery continues to strengthen communities, support opportunity and fund what matters most to people across the country.
