Jowell 'destroying Lotto credibility'

The NCADC helps fight asylum deportations

A controversial immigration help group which received lottery funding has been defended as a "good cause" by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

At a time when many deserving causes are being denied funds, a grant to a politically-motivated organisation of this kind should never have been made

John Whittingdale

Ms Jowell was trying to justify a decision to hand £340,000 of Lotto cash to the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC), which fights the deportation of asylum seekers.

The culture secretary sanctioned the award on the grounds that the group abandons "doctrinaire publicity", including derogatory remarks about Home Secretary David Blunkett published on its website.

But the Conservatives accused Ms Jowell of destroying the credibility of Lotto by backing "politically correct" causes.

Restoring confidence

The Tories will renew their attack on the government's handling of the controversy later on Wednesday in the Commons.

It is a good cause, along with grants to disabled organisations, older people and their carers, black and ethnic minority organisations

Tessa Jowell

Shadow culture secretary John Whittingdale said Ms Jowell must "spell out" to MPs how she plans to restore public confidence in the lottery.

He called on her to return Lotto to "its original purpose of supporting causes which command widespread public support".

Mr Whittingdale said the award of the grant to the NCADC was "a further blow to the credibility of the National Lottery".

'Politically correct causes'

He added: "At a time when many deserving causes are being denied funds, a grant to a politically-motivated organisation of this kind should never have been made.

"The money available for good causes has already been slashed as a result of the government creaming off funds to pay for projects which should be financed by the taxpayer.

The website included an attack on David Blunkett

"Now the publicity given to grants awarded to politically correct causes has destroyed the public trust and have resulted in a significant fall on ticket sales."

Lotto operator Camelot has blamed a £500,000 a week drop in sales on the row over the grant - a claim rejected by the Community Fund, the quango responsible for making the award.

Political interference

The grant was frozen by Ms Jowell and David Blunkett when concerns about the activities of NCADC first came to light in August.

But the Community Fund announced on Tuesday the grant would go ahead.

Ms Jowell defended the decision by stressing the independence of the Community Fund and its right to operate free from political interference.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The Community Fund spends 5% of its allowance on funding grants for asylum seekers.

"It is a good cause, along with grants to disabled organisations, older people and their carers, black and ethnic minority organisations. Yes, it is a good cause."

She added: "The important thing now is that we move on and that the Community Fund learn the lessons from this and that they monitor the grant and make sure that the conditions attached to the award are now met."

'Hate mail'

The NCADC has been at the centre of row with the Daily Mail newspaper which asked its readers to "vent their anger" on the issue.

The Community Fund, which says it has received hate mail in the controversy, admitted there had been "legitimate concerns" about some of the charity's activities.

But fund chairman Lady Diana Brittan said it did "valuable work" with individual asylum seekers.

"We have no evidence that the NCADC has either broken the law or encouraged others to do so," Lady Brittan said.

"Therefore, we have decided that the grant should go ahead."

Do you support the decision to award the NCADC with a lottery grant? What impact do you think it will have on the current climate surrounding asylum seekers? Tell us what you think.

I have serious reservations about the intentions of this group

Brian MacKay, Scotland

I have supported the National Lottery since it started and to a very great extent support the charities it gave money to. I have serious reservations about the intentions of this group and decided that if this award is given my participation in the Lottery will end.
Brian MacKay, Scotland

Not only is the coalition of anti-deportation campaigns a good cause, but the media frenzy against it is an absolute, shameful disgrace. Refugees are the most disenfranchised and marginalised people in the community; subject to arbitrary imprisonment, discrimination and the threat of deportation to countries where their lives and welfare are at grave risk. These non-government organisations not only deserve the funding they receive, but they should receive public commendations for their efforts.
Sean, UK

I am a lottery player and have been since the start but will be reviewing my participation in view of some of the grants which I regard as partisan and politically motivated. Too often lottery money is used on projects which should be funded either by the government or by the interested parties through fund raising. I think the lottery money would be more appropriately used if awarded to recognised charities working in the UK for the aged and for children.
Alan, UK

It is very important to ensure funding for groups like the NCADC so that checks and balances exist throughout the entire process of seeking asylum including when people are subject to deportation orders. The success of their previous work for potential deportees shows that the system would be abusive if this last line of defence was not available. I do not feel threatened by asylum seekers and I would rather liberalise policy than return anyone to a risk situation
John Davies, UK

I am greatly annoyed than money is given to these types of groups when ex-servicemen's charities are denied. The political correct lobby exerts it pressure again
Colin Taylor, England

Lottery money should be used for charitable causes, not for organisations or others with a strong political agenda.
James Cooper, UK

I certainly do not support this award and as such have now ceased buying a lottery ticket.
Dave Maltby, UK

The decision to award lottery funds to the NCADC is a farce because the NCADC openly opposes the policies of the elected government. It is time to scrap the current system of awards and let the paying public decide. We certainly won't play the lottery any more under the current farcical conditions.
Richard Marriott, England

Once again, it seems we're missing the real issue. Is it right that a government should provide a financial incentive to an organisation on condition that the organisation abandons "doctrinaire publicity"? Or, to put it another way, is the government paying the NCADC to stop bad mouthing it?
Mike, UK

We must embrace the people of the world. But the government should be responsible for education, health and the elderly. The lottery is a good source of income for other needy groups.
Michelle Cherfan, England

Yet again we English are being made to feel like third class citizens in our own back yard. This lottery grant is a disgrace. I thought lottery funding was all about increasing the quality of life in Britain, not decreasing it.
Jason, England

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