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Call for dedicated lottery funding
08/03/2009
Sports Minister Shona Robison has called for dedicated lottery games to support plans to create a lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Minister has written to Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, asking for a meeting at the end of this month to discuss the return of £150 million lottery funding to Scotland.
Funding for the London 2012 Olympics included an estimated £150 million of lottery money which would have gone to good causes in Scotland. There is cross party support for a substantial sum of this cash to be released back to Scotland as soon as possible.
Dedicated lottery games such as scratchcards and internet games have already raised more than £375 million for the London Olympics.
Ms Robison said:
"I want the Commonwealth Games to deliver life changing opportunities for communities across the whole of Scotland for generations to come.
"Long after the last medal has been presented, we have our eyes on a bigger prize which will encourage and inspire everyone to live healthier, more active lives.
"This is why the return of £150 million lost lottery funding to Scotland is so important. This issue cuts across the political divide and has unanimous support from the Scottish Parliament.
"Dedicated lottery games have already secured serious sums of funding for the London Olympics. I want to ensure Scotland gets its fair share.
"Specialist games such as scratchcards are one way of raising money without taking cash from the public purse. However I am willing to look at all funding mechanisms to enrich our communities and give the people of Scotland a 2014 legacy of which we can all be proud."
On September 25 the Scottish Parliament unanimously endorsed a motion calling for a substantial sum of National Lottery funding to be released as soon as possible to support a lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.