Tom
Watson, Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, commenting on new NAO report that
finds significantly reduced income for good causes from the National Lottery,
said:

“This
report should set serious alarm bells ringing for those who are supposed to act
as stewards for the National Lottery.  

“The point
of the Lottery is to maximise returns for good causes not maximise returns for
the company holding the operating licence.

“While
Camelot have seen their shareholder profits from the Lottery rocket since 2010
the amount going to good causes over the same period has risen by a measly 2%,
and the 15% drop in good causes income in the last year is particularly
worrying.

“If money
for good causes is being hit by consumers moving towards scratchcards and away
from lottery draws then Camelot needs to act to address this, not hide behind
it.

“It’s now
clear that good causes are losing out while Camelot continues to win the
jackpot. The Government must act urgently to ensure Camelot does better- and
quickly.”

Tom
Watson, Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, commenting on new NAO report that
finds significantly reduced income for good causes from the National Lottery,
said:

“This
report should set serious alarm bells ringing for those who are supposed to act
as stewards for the National Lottery.  

“The point
of the Lottery is to maximise returns for good causes not maximise returns for
the company holding the operating licence.

“While
Camelot have seen their shareholder profits from the Lottery rocket since 2010
the amount going to good causes over the same period has risen by a measly 2%,
and the 15% drop in good causes income in the last year is particularly
worrying.

“If money
for good causes is being hit by consumers moving towards scratchcards and away
from lottery draws then Camelot needs to act to address this, not hide behind
it.

“It’s now
clear that good causes are losing out while Camelot continues to win the
jackpot. The Government must act urgently to ensure Camelot does better- and
quickly.”

Richard
Burgon, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, commenting
on Theresa May’s refusal to create a Grenfell Inquiry panel as requested
earlier today by survivors and their bereaved families in a petition handed in
at Downing Street, said:

“For
the Grenfell Inquiry to deliver truth and justice, Grenfell residents must have
full confidence in it. To tackle the obvious current lack of trust, Theresa May
should use her powers under the Inquiries Act to deliver a diverse Inquiry
panel as demanded by the survivors and bereaved families. This would
ensure that the Inquiry reflects the range of backgrounds and experiences
of those affected by the Grenfell fire. Theresa May needs to take
responsibility for this decision and stop passing the buck.” 

Rachael Maskell MP, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister, commenting on a Transport Focus investigation which has found the rail industry is failing to tell passengers in time if their journey will be disrupted, said:

“Not only will passengers suffer the steepest fare hike in five years in January, they are also being tricked into buying tickets for non-existent services over Christmas.

“Train companies should guarantee that passengers who have been mis-sold tickets will be notified immediately and that they will incur no additional cost to transfer onto on the most suitable alternative train.

“Under the Tories, train companies are ripping people off and the solution is a Labour Government that puts people before profit and brings our railways into public ownership.”

Nia
Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to the
Government’s statement on locally employed staff who worked alongside British
forces in Afghanistan, said:

“Afghan
citizens who worked with British forces as interpreters or drivers put themselves
in extreme danger and many continue to face threats and intimidation today.

“It
is hugely disappointing that the Government has refused to extend support
packages to those who completed their duties between 2006 and 2011. This
arbitrary approach risks letting down those who put their lives on the line in
support of our Forces. The Ministry of Defence should re-examine this
short-sighted decision as a matter of urgency.”