The Directory of Social Change has renewed its campaign for the return of money taken from Big Lottery Fund to pay for the 2012 Olympics, after there was no mention of a refund in yesterday’s budget.

DSC said £425m was “raided” from the Big Lottery Fund in 2007 to meet shortfalls in the Olympic budget. A refund was promised and £148m was returned to the fund last year, £69m of which raised through the sale of Olympic Village assets.

Supported by some 3,600 charities, DSC is calling for the full sum to be refunded with interest, but says the government has said most of the money will not be available until the 2030s or beyond.

DSC chief executive Debra Allcock Tyler said that the Chancellor has missed his chance to refund the money, despite hundreds of letters and appeals made over many years.

“The good news is that there is a General Election coming up. We’re urging all parties to commit to immediately refund the full £425m owed to the Big Lottery Fund, with interest. The next government, whichever parties it contains, must commit to a Big Lottery Refund. We will not stop asking!”

Share Story: