Government not Lifting Charity Lottery Cap

Earlier this year, I brought forward a Private Member’s Bill calling for the cap on charity lottery sales to be lifted. I worked closely with the People’s Postcode Lottery on this Bill. At the time, the Government indicated that they would be publishing a report assessing the impact of potential changes to the cap. That report was released today, yet despite the evidence presented, the Government has confirmed it will not be making any changes to the current limits.

Below is my initial response to the report:

"I’m deeply disappointed by the Government’s decision not to lift the cap on society lotteries, despite the clear evidence in its own commissioned report showing that doing so would help charities and good causes across the UK.

“The independent research makes it clear that raising the annual sales limit for these lotteries would provide a lifeline for countless community organisations, enabling them to plan better, fundraise more effectively, and deliver services that so many people rely on.

“It also shows that moderate reforms, like increasing the cap on ticket sales to £100 million for society lotteries whilst keeping the cap on prizes, would have no direct impact on National Lottery sales, but would increase funds available for good causes.

“This decision feels like a missed opportunity to back our vital charity sector at a time when demand for services is rising and fundraising is increasingly difficult.

“The Government says it wants to empower communities and level up opportunity, but this inaction tells a different story. We will continue to press Ministers to reconsider and give charity lotteries the freedom they need to support people across the country."

People’s Postcode Lottery Managing Director, Clara Govier said: 

“It beggars belief. The Government’s refusal to act cuts off potential extra charitable funding of £175 million over the course of this parliament – all of which would have been raised at zero cost to the Treasury.

“This is a hammer blow for thousands of charities across the UK, big and small, that deliver vital every-day services to those most in need.

“Even more alarmingly, the government has chosen not to lift the needless limits on charity lotteries despite its own research showing the move would increase charity funding raised by the wider lottery sector.

“This is a clear failure to put the needs of the most vulnerable first and actively blocking the wishes of many of Britain's biggest charities.

“People’s Postcode Lottery can, of course, still grow but the way in which funds are awarded is now being dictated by legislation and rules and not need.

“We plan to meet with the Minister as a matter of urgency.”