Susan Kramer quizzes Phil Hope on the Big Lottery Fund

7.00.42pm GMT Thu 7th Feb 2008

Susan Kramer (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat): One of the strengths of the Big Lottery Fund has been the fact that it funds not only the third sector, but the statutory and private organisations that partner that sector.

That is where the cuts of £425 million will fall. Will the Minister make it clear what impact he thinks those cuts will have on the ability to deliver real outputs and projects on the ground?

Phil Hope (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office): I welcome the hon. Lady to her new responsibilities on the Liberal Democrat Front Bench. The Olympic games offer many opportunities, including business opportunities for many social enterprises in the third sector. It has been estimated that Social Enterprise London could be a contender to bid for around £500 million of business related to the Olympic games. As well as resources for the third sector being safeguarded, there are opportunities for social enterprises in the sector to be deliverers of the Olympic games and the opportunities that they provide. [http://tinyurl.com/2xvme6]