To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria are used to decide whether to grant funds to organisations or projects which apply to the National Lottery Fund; what weight is given to each criterion; and if she will make a statement. (144163)

Lottery distributors are required to take into account National Lottery legislation and policy directions issued by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Policy Directions set out the framework for the wider aims of lottery funding and do not specify detailed criteria. Distributors are required to publish policy directions in their annual reports and accounts (copies are available in the Library of the House).

Distributors also determine their own published criteria for funding programmes. These will be informed by consultation and take into account regional funding priorities and the need to promote access for people from all sections of society. Any weighting is a matter for the distributor.