SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has backed the Scottish Government decision to press the UK Government to lift the £50 million annual cap on charity lottery sales. Currently regulations limit the potential of Scotland’s charities to raise much-needed funds for communities in the Western Isles and across Scotland. 

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville wrote to the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport last week describing the cap as an outdated restriction that limits charities’ capacity to address rising demands. Under current UK law, charity lotteries must adhere to the cap - a constraint unique to charity fundraising, and not applied to any other gambling products.  

Scottish charities like the People’s Postcode Lottery have welcomed the call for change, stating that these restrictions limit their ability to fundraise effectively at a time when their support is urgently needed across Scotland. 

The SNP sees removing the cap as a cost-free solution that could make a positive impact on Scottish communities, especially in the face of worsening Westminster austerity.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:  

“The issue of the charity lottery sales cap is something I have raised in the Holyrood chamber before. Therefore, I am glad to see the Scottish Government continuing to exert their pressure on the UK Government on this issue. 

“Following the UK Government’s decision to scrap universal Winter Fuel Payments and to uphold the two-child limit, Western Isles communities need support now more than ever. Removing this outdated restriction is a simple, cost-free way to give charities the freedom to raise more funds to support people better. 

“Local charities such as the Bernera Community Association and the Western Isles Foyer have benefited from lottery funding to help our communities during the cost-of-living crisis. However, more opportunities could be available for many such organisations if the cap was removed.

“This cap holds back the ability of charities to raise funds that could be used to respond to rising demands on charities. Lifting it would make a real difference in Scotland.

“So along with the Social Justice Secretary’s letter, I am urging the UK Government to scrap the cap of charity lottery sales and support charities to make a difference both here in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, and across Scotland.” 

ENDS