Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether an equitable distribution of National Lottery funding throughout the UK will be a criterion in the bidding process for the National Lottery franchise.

The licence to operate the National Lottery does not cover distribution of good cause funding. The roles of operating the National Lottery and distributing funds to good causes are separate and distinct. National Lottery funding is awarded by 12 distributors working at arm’s length from Government. The distributors generally aim to ensure a wide geographical reach, but ultimately funding is distributed where there is greater need and impact.

The Fourth Licence to run the National Lottery is due to come into force in 2023. Bidding criteria have not yet been set.