MP attacks government proposals to cut funding for local groups

Ayr Carrick and Cumnock MP Sandra Osborne has attacked proposals by the Government to cut funding for good causes. The Big Lottery Fund will see a cut in its funding and there are proposals to bar local schools and community councils from applying for grants.

Sandra Osborne said:

'These changes are very worrying. From the 225 grants that have been awarded in my constituency over the past 5 years, almost a quarter of these would now not be eligible for funding if the proposals were implemented. This would amount to a loss of lottery funding of over a quarter of a million pounds to the local area. Community Councils and schools would no longer be able to receive funding for local projects.

'This is clearly unacceptable and I will be asking BIG for a meeting to further clarify how these changes will impact locally and will be doing what I can to persuade the Government against these changes.'