Lottery To Be Handed To Non-profit Operator
The National Lottery is be handed over to a non-profit making operator under legislation announced by the Government.
Cash from the lottery will also be freed for after-school clubs, teacher training and new "healthy living centres".
A new Bill to be introduced will also shake up the way funds from the lottery are distributed, according to Government proposals outlined in the Queen's Speech.
It follows criticism that lottery profits have been given to elitist projects.
The Bill will seek a "competitive, efficient not-for-profit operator" to boost the amount of money going towards the good causes.
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Virginia Bottomley has condemned Labour's lottery plans
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The current operator, Camelot, which was awarded a seven-year contract, earned pre-tax profit of £77.5 million in its first full year of business last year.
The Bill will also make sure there is a "proper strategy and improved systems" for distributing lottery proceeds.
The good causes will be extended to include "health, education and other initiatives" which fall outside services provided through tax.
These will include:
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Information Technology training for 500,000 teachers
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The establishment of after-school activities and homework clubs in half of all secondary schools and a quarter of all primary schools by 2001
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The setting up of a "core network" of healthy living centres
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The foundation of the National Endowment for Science and Arts, a trust helping to turn ideas into business ventures.
The Government said it planned to publish a White Paper on its proposals for consultation before proceeding with the legislation.
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