£2M pledged for sport to plug funding gap

The Scottish Government has announced extra money for sport after it claimed Westminster is “ignoring'' a fall in Lottery funding.

Sports Minister Aileen Campbell pledged an additional £2 million to help ensure equal access to sport, with ministers wanting to see more women and girls taking part and more females on the boards of governing bodies.

The cash will also fund work to ensure more under-represented groups, such as people from deprived areas and members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, are involved.

The money will be handed out by sportscotland in a bid to combat reduced revenues for sport from the National Lottery.

Ms Campbell said: “The Scottish Government is committed to do all we can to encourage more people to lead active lives. Sports governing bodies have an important role to play in that, and they can also be instrumental in ensuring equal access to sport and physical activity.

“We've asked the UK Government not to compound the effect of their austerity agenda by ignoring the problem of falling revenues to sport from the National Lottery - but they don't appear to be listening.

“That's why we're providing this additional £2 million to help sportscotland and the governing bodies meet our shared goal - a healthier Scotland where everyone gets a fair chance to enjoy sport.''

Chair of sportscotland Mel Young said: “The Scottish Government and sportscotland have been working very closely for a period of months with a view to delivering the best possible financial outcome for sport and we're delighted that the minister is announcing an additional £2 million into sport.

“This extra investment from the Scottish Government allows sportscotland to supplement our planned investment into the Scottish governing bodies of sport and will help protect jobs and encourage growth within the sports.

“We believe in the power of sport, in its ability to help instil leadership and teamwork among our children and young people, allow people to lead happier, healthier lives, and to promote social cohesion, so it is terrific news that the Scottish Government has been able to provide extra money for sport in Scotland.''