The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched the National Lottery Act 2006.

Under the new Act, the Big Lottery Fund has been established as a single body to replace the Community Fund, the New Opportunities Fund and the Millennium Commission.

The increased centralisation will save £6–12m in annual administration costs and make it easier for the public to be involved in decision-making processes.

In addition, measures have been introduced to ensure that the licensing and regulation of the Lottery continues to maximise the returns to good causes.

Secretary of state Tessa Jowell said: “The National Lottery has raised over £18.5bn for good causes in the past 12 years, providing funding for more than 240,000 projects across the country, such as The Eden Project in Cornwall and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

“The Act will help bring the Lottery closer to players and the communities which the Lottery supports. More than 70 per cent of adults regularly play the Lottery and I am delighted that they will now have greater opportunity to get involved and contribute to decisions about how the money is spent.” Details: www.opsi.gov.uk