MSP Hits Out At Lottery Vote

Falkirk West SNP MSP, Michael Matheson, joined by local Councillors in calling on Falkirk MP, Eric Joyce to explain why he voted in favour of proposals at Westminster to raid another £184 million form the Lottery Fund in Scotland aimed at supporting good causes in some of the most deprived areas of Falkirk district.

Figures issued by the Alliance suggest that, based on population share, Falkirk stands to lose around £5 million in lottery funding.

An angry Michael Matheson said:

"I believe that Eric Joyce needs to explain to people throughout Falkirk district why he was prepared to vote in favour of proposals which will deprive local community and charitable organisations in his own constituency of much needed funds.

Lottery funding for local groups is already being cut back to pay for the significant cost over runs of the London Olympics and now local groups will find it even harder to tap into this important source of funding.

Around £5m that we could have expected to be invested locally will now be invested in London, thanks to local New Labour MP’s "

Mr Matheson was backed up by SNP Councillor John McNally, the party’s prospective parliamentary candidate in Falkirk, Cllr John McNally. The popular Denny Councillor also runs a youth football side and is involved in various local community groups who have survived through lottery fund support in the past.

Cllr McNally said,

"I am astonished that Mr Joyce has chosen to ignore the needs of local groups in favour of promoting the hugely expensive London Olympics.

We need investment within all of our communities in grass roots sport for young people and the provision of facilities for local people. To therefore see another £184m nationally, around £5m locally, taken out of the budget for the provision of facilities and support for community groups is a devastating blow.

Its time that the interest of local groups and local individuals were given a higher priority by the local MP and his government colleagues in London. Perhaps Mr Joyce is banking on no one noticing that local group’s funds are being raided but I believe politicians at all levels should be held responsible for their actions.”

Michael Matheson has also written to Labour’s Holyrood leader, Wendy Alexander, text below.

Dear Wendy,

I understand from press coverage that you are in London today visiting the House of Commons.

As I am sure you are aware the UK Government is today asking MPs to vote to transfer millions of pounds from the Lottery to the costs of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The transfer includes £184 million of lottery funding that would be used in Scotland to support charities, grassroots organisations, sporting and community projects. Many of which support the very groups of people you have recently expressed such concern over.

Over £5 million could be lost from Falkirk alone.

I am sure that you, as leader of Scottish Labour would not wish these groups to suffer financially through the actions of the UK Government and would oppose such a move.

I urge you to use the opportunity of your visit to London to pressure Labour MPs, particularly those from Scotland, to vote against this devastating raid of lottery funding and to support those organisations who use this funding to support the weak, the poor and the dispossessed in Scottish society.

Yours sincerely

Michael Matheson MSP