Back to basics

Legislation laid before Parliament last week will mean that, from 2012 onwards, the arts, sport and heritage will receive a 20% share of the total raised from the Lottery – as they did in 1994. Reforming the Lottery was one of the Conservatives’ pre-election pledges, and the new structure will bring an extra £50m each for arts, sport and heritage in 2012, according to John Penrose, Minister for Tourism and Heritage. Money going to the voluntary and community sector will also rise, from 2009 levels of £564m to more than £630m by 2013, once the Olympics are over. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt sees the Lottery boost as helping to soften the impact of the cuts made to Arts Council England’s grant in aid budget.