MP Gareth Snell welcomes Labour Government Call For Evidence to put communities at the heart of national lottery funding

Gareth Snell, Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central 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.

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.

Gareth 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 Stoke-on-Trent to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of one of Britain’s great national institutions.”

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.