The amendment, put forward by Viscount Astor, means that the Big Lottery Fund, which distributes the cash collected through the weekly game, will only have to ‘take account of’ directions from the culture secretary rather than ‘comply’ with them as specified in the previous draft of the Bill.

A government amendment requiring Lottery distributors to report on additionality was also passed by the Lords.

The change was welcomed by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations which campaigned to ensure government’s influence over how lottery funds are distributed was limited and that lottery funding to good causes is in addition to core funding from the government.

“The new Lottery Bill limits government control over the distribution of lottery funds, ensures for the first time that lottery distributors will have to report on additionality and means that at least 60% of funding will go to the voluntary sector,” said Peter Moorey, parliamentary and media manager at NCVO. “This demonstrates the determination and effective campaigning from the voluntary sector pays off.”