Teather Welcomes Lottery Cash For Brent

2.11.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 8th Oct 2007

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has congratulated local Brent charities and community groups to have benefited from Lottery grants in the latest round of funding.

Queen's Park Community School, Fortunegate Elders Forum, the Gaudiya Mission and the Willesden Scout Group have all received grants of between £5,000 and £10,000.

However, it may be harder for groups in Brent to receive this funding in the future. The Government's decision to dip into National Lottery money to meet the spiralling cost of the London 2012 Olympics mean that good causes are set to loose a further £675m, in addition to the £1.5bn already diverted to pay for the Games.

The Government's lottery raid equates to £3m less funding for sports, heritage and arts projects in Brent.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Community groups play a vital role in bring people in Brent together. At a time when Brent is fighting so many Government cuts to our services, it's great to see these Brent charities benefiting from extra cash.

"The spiralling cost of the Olympics means the pot of money for good causes will get smaller and smaller over the coming years. The Government must promise no more raids on Lottery cash, so that many more groups in Brent can take advantage of the funds the Lottery has to offer."

Notes:

The additional costs of the Olympics will result in National Lottery good causes losing £675m, in addition to the £1.5bn already diverted to pay for the Games. The Liberal Democrats have estimated that each parliamentary constituency will receive approximately £1million less funding. There are three parliamentary constituencies in Brent.