Sport funding to increase

The Scottish Government will increase sportscotland’s core funding by £2 million in 2018-19, from £29.7 million to £31.7 million, to prioritise the development of sport within Scotland.

In addition to this, the Scottish Government has also pledged to underwrite any potential shortfall in National Lottery funding for sportscotland of up to £3.4 million.

Minister for Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell said:

“The budget for sportscotland will increase by £2 million. Through this we will continue to invest in our communities, clubs and schools which will include a specific focus on equalities ensuring the world-class system is for everyone. Our additional support to make up £3.4 million of the anticipated shortfall in National Lottery funding will provide certainty in the absence of action from the UK Government, and will build on the decision we took to continue business rates relief for sport and leisure centres.

“In recent years we’ve seen some good progress, with more women and girls participating in sports, but there is still more we can do to get women involved in sports from grassroots right up to performance levels, which is one of the reasons why this increase in funding for sportscotland is so significant.

“Supporting sports development in Scotland is of huge importance – being more active can contribute positively to areas such as mental and physical health and I would like to see more people taking advantage of the facilities on offer to them and getting more active in 2018.”

Commenting on the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget Bill, sportscotland Chair Mel Young said:

“It is encouraging that in the 2018/19 Draft Budget the Scottish Government has increased sportscotland’s core grant by £2 million. We firmly believe in the power of sport and have worked hard with our partners to create a world-class sporting system. This settlement is extremely good news for sport in Scotland

“sportscotland is delighted that the Scottish Government has pledged to underwrite up to £3.4 million of potential National Lottery losses, as this provides stability for the sporting community for the foreseeable future.”

Background

Last month the Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced that sport and leisure venues currently run by council arm’s-length bodies will continue to benefit from charity relief from non-domestic rates, going against the Barclay Review recommendation to end this benefit. It means that local authority arm’s-length external organisations (ALEOs) currently providing important leisure facilities will continue to benefit from reduced rates to support their activities. This equates to £45m of support to Local Authorities.