Corporate report

National Lottery Distribution Fund annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024

Published 26 July 2024

Performance report

Overview

This overview explains what the 2023-24 financial statements show, how the National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDF) operates, and the key risks that the NLDF faces.

The 2023-24 financial statements

The NLDF was established in 1994 alongside the National Lottery. It was launched to receive and hold monies generated by the National Lottery for good causes, which is then allocated at arms length through twelve lottery distributing bodies. Section 21 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 places the NLDF under the control and management of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

This is the thirtieth set of accounts to be prepared for the NLDF. These financial statements account to Parliament for the receipt of National Lottery income and its allocation and distribution to the lottery distributing bodies. The Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure shows income from the National Lottery and investments in addition to the amounts drawn down and operating expenses for the year; the Statement of Financial Position shows the financial position at the year end, and the Statement of Cash Flows shows the movement in cash over the year.

Where the money comes from

The National Lottery is operated under Licence from the Gambling Commission. The Third Licence, operated by Camelot UK Lotteries Limited (hereafter Camelot), for the period 1 February 2009 to 31 January 2024, came to an end within the financial year. The Fourth Licence, which is operated by Allwyn Entertainment Limited (hereafter Allwyn), commenced on 1 February 2024 and is a ten year Licence expiring on 31 January 2034. Under this Licence, the mechanism underpinning income contributions to the NLDF has changed.

The principal categories of income into the NLDF for the year to 31 March 2024 comprise:

Under the Third Licence:

• a proportion of National Lottery ticket sales, as determined by the Licence granted to the operator (the primary contribution to the Fund)
• a share of operator profits when such profits are greater than the profits forecast in the original bid to operate the Third National Lottery Licence (the secondary contribution to the Fund).

Under the Fourth Licence:

• an annual fixed contribution (adjusted each year for inflation)
• a percentage of the surplus generated by the operator in running the Licence. The surplus figure is calculated by sales less prizes, lottery duty, retail commission and the operator’s allowable overheads.

Under both the Third and Fourth Licences:

• any prizes which are not claimed within 180 days of the draw date for National Lottery games, or 180 days of the close of any scratchcard or interactive instant win game.

Where the money goes

Funds held by the NLDF are apportioned to the arts, sports, heritage and community (charitable, health, education, and environment) causes as determined by the proportions detailed in the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The share of the funds received by each lottery distributing body in 2023-24 is shown in notes 9 and 12.

Governance of the Fund

Sound management of the NLDF plays a pivotal role in managing the flow of funds between the operator and the lottery distributing bodies, which issue the funds to the National Lottery beneficiaries, for ‘good cause projects’.

In managing the NLDF, the department works closely with the Gambling Commission which is responsible for awarding the National Lottery operating Licence and the regulation of the National Lottery. Within the framework of regulation set by the government, the role of the Gambling Commission is to monitor and report on the performance of the National Lottery operator and to enforce the terms of its Section 5 Licence, for both the Third and Fourth National Lottery Licences. This includes ensuring that the operator complies with Licence terms including their remittance to the NLDF.

The Gambling Commission has adopted an outcomes-based approach to regulating the National Lottery under the Fourth National Lottery Licence. Following its commencement on 1 February 2024, the new Licence places a greater focus on the achievement of outcomes; this is different to the approach under the Third Licence. The Licensee will, by way of agreed and defined regulatory reporting, along with associated engagement, provide assurance directly to DCMS and to the Gambling Commission in relation to payments to good causes. In its role as regulator of the Fourth Licence, the Gambling Commission undertakes periodic reporting focused on Allwyn’s delivery against the outcomes required under the Licence, and in particular actively monitors and tracks payments to good causes for each Licence Year. The Gambling Commission’s regulatory oversight of the Fourth Licence, including its monitoring and tracking of good cause payments, has been in place since the start of the Licence on 1 February 2024.

The Gambling Commission does not handle any applications for National Lottery funds or distribute any National Lottery good cause income.

In addition, DCMS works with the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt (CRND) whose role is to invest the funds held in the NLDF, in accordance with directions issued by HM Treasury. The funds are invested in collaboration with CRND until they are required by the lottery distributing bodies to make payments to successful grant applicants (or to meet administrative expenses). The department distributes funds to the lottery distributing bodies on request and accounts to Parliament for the flow of funds.

The Financial Directions, supported by a Statement of Financial Requirements, for each distributor establishes a financial framework within which their lottery distribution activities are to be conducted. Individual distributors are sponsored either by the department or by one of the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State issues the Financial Directions for all lottery distributing bodies sponsored by the department and, with the consent of relevant ministers, for devolved distributors in Wales. The Secretary of State’s consent is required for the issuing (and changing) of Financial Directions to devolved lottery distributors in Scotland and Northern Ireland by the relevant ministers.

Permanent Secretary Statement

As Accounting Officer of the NLDF, I seek annual assurances from the Accounting Officer of each lottery distributing body that it has in place adequate systems of internal control for the efficient, effective, and equitable distribution of lottery monies. In particular, I ask that they confirm to me annually that they are satisfied that their body:

• has complied with its current Lottery Financial Directions;
• has adequate internal and external audit arrangements in place;
• has adequate arrangements for detecting and responding to inefficiency, conflict of interest and fraud and for minimising losses of Lottery grants, and
• maintains risk assessment and control procedures and risk registers.

My officials seek supporting information about lottery distributing bodies’ systems and their approach to financial and risk management; this can include advice from the distributors’ sponsors in my own department and in the relevant devolved administrations. Significant issues arising in relation to distributing bodies’ systems are communicated to the relevant DCMS reporting structures including the Audit and Risk Committee as necessary.

Up to and including the 2023-24 financial year, the National Lottery has generated £47.2 billion for good causes since its launch in 1994, and has benefited over 695,000 projects, large and small. The majority of National Lottery grants are under £10,000 reaching a range of organisations and projects of all sizes. A further £2.3 billion has been raised in income from investment.

The performance analysis on pages 7, 8 and 9 provides some analysis of trends and sustainability issues.

Key risks

Liquidity risks

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty raising liquid funds to meet liabilities as they fall due.

The income into the NLDF is available to the lottery distributing bodies for drawdown to pay grant commitments and operating expenses. Lottery distributing bodies can only draw down funds which are in their apportioned share of the portfolio. Currently, the total of the balance of the NLDF is invested in overnight call notice deposits allowing for maximum liquidity. As a result of the policies and procedures outlined above, the department considers that all significant liquidity risks are appropriately managed.

Interest rate risks

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. The financial assets of the NLDF are invested with CRND which manages its investments.

The investments made by CRND are made in accordance with directions made by HM Treasury. The average return on the investments in the financial year was 5.16% (2022-23: 2.32%). The department does not consider that the NLDF is exposed to any significant interest rate risks because of the nature of the assets held.

Foreign currency risks

The NLDF is not exposed to any foreign exchange risks, as all the NLDF holdings and transactions are in pound sterling.

Investment risk

HM Treasury has directed CRND that the NLDF may hold investments specified in the Trustee Investments Act 1961. This restricts investments to mainly government issues such as gilt-edged stock and limits the amount that can be invested outside cash and cash equivalents.

The department’s strategy is to avoid negative income returns over a three month period. The department regularly reviews its investments in partnership with CRND.

During the financial year, the NLDF invested its funds with CRND whose operations are carried out by the UK Debt Management Office (DMO). CRND charges the NLDF for its investment management.

Operational risk

The Fourth National Lottery Licence was formally granted to Allwyn on 1 February 2024. This marked the first ever change in National Lottery operator, and the introduction of a new outcomes-based Licence design, giving the operator greater responsibility to fulfil its obligations while retaining the Gambling Commission’s powers to intervene if they fail to do so. While there were no significant disruptions to operations in the transition from the Third to the Fourth Licence, Allwyn is required to implement those elements of Full Functionality which were not required at the licence start date by the end of February 2025. The Gambling Commission’s decision to award the Licence to Allwyn remains subject to legal challenge. The legal case has a number of complex and difficult to quantify consequences, scenarios and permutations; however commercial sensitivities preclude more detailed disclosures which may potentially be prejudicial to the challenge. A date for a substantive trial has been set for October 2025. 

Staffing and organisation

The cost of the department’s staff engaged on NLDF matters are charged to the NLDF in proportion to the amount of time spent in discharging the Secretary of State’s functions under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, as amended. As a public sector employer, the department is bound by the Equality Act 2010. The Act’s public sector equality duty came into force in 2011 and requires all bodies exercising public functions to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act
• advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
• foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

The department is an equal opportunities employer, which does not discriminate against staff or eligible applicants for posts on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Sustainability report

The department is committed to supporting and promoting sustainable development. We endeavour to reduce our use of materials, energy and water, minimise waste production, procure sustainably and minimise our carbon footprint.

As the NLDF is managed and operated within the department, disclosure regarding sustainability reporting can be found in the 2023-24 department annual report and accounts which will be available, when published, on the department’s website.

Non-financial information

Anti-bribery

The department ensures that all of its staff involved in the NLDF are aware of their obligations under the Bribery Act 2010, and ensure that any gifts received or hospitality offers are compliant with this legislation, as well as the Civil Service Code.

Anti-corruption

All department employees (including those that work on the NLDF) are responsible for ensuring their behaviour meets the standards expected of them in accordance with the Civil Service Code and the Department’s Standards of Conduct. See the department annual report and accounts 2023-24 for more detail.

Respect for human rights

The NLDF is an administrative function within the department, and as such the human rights implications of NLDF are minimal. NLDF places reliance on lottery distributing bodies to ensure respect for human rights in the distribution of NLDF funds.

Social matters

The NLDF contributes to significant social impacts, being part of the process for delivering funding for good causes through lottery distributors. The department is aware of this impact and seeks to ensure that the lottery distributors maximise the social benefit of the monies they drawdown from the NLDF.

Future plans

The Fourth National Lottery Licence was formally granted to Allwyn on 1 February 2024. Allwyn has committed to providing investment in the National Lottery with the intention of delivering responsible growth and innovation which results in increased contributions to good causes. 

Allwyn’s intention over the first year of its operation is for a series of incremental changes that begin to deliver its ambition to offer more games, attract more people playing a little, and create more winners. In April 2024, Allwyn launched its ‘Best Gift Ever’ campaign to encourage people to consider purchasing in store National Lottery draws or scratchcards as gifts. Changes and investment in technology and infrastructure is also ongoing to support Allwyn’s plans for responsible growth through digital channels and new technology in retail.

Important events which have occurred since the year end

These are shown in note 14 to the accounts.

Performance analysis

The trend over the last ten years for income, expenditure (i.e. drawdowns by lottery distributing bodies), amount held for lottery distributing bodies and the grant liabilities of lottery distributing bodies (discussed below) are shown in the chart and table below.

NLDF ten-year financial trends

Year	Total Income (£m)	Drawdown by lottery distributing bodies (£m)	Amount held for lottery distributing bodies (£m) [footnote 1]	Grant liabilities of lottery distributing bodies (£m) [footnote 2]
2014-15 [footnote 3]	1,963	1,929	1,643	3,198
2015-16 [footnote 4]	1,934	1,843	1,731	2,962
2016-17	1,638	1,826	1,540	3,042
2017-18	1,644	1,824	1,356	3,104
2018-19	1,615	1,682	1,282	2,869
2019-20	1,801	1,808	1,259	2,552
2020-21	1,833	1,852	1,222	2,154
2021-22	1,838	1,571	1,461	2,661
2022-23 [footnote 5]	1,826	1,579	1,686	2,665
2023-24 [footnote 6]	1,822	1,696	1,797	2,628

Income

The National Lottery has raised £47.2 billion for good causes since its launch, of which £1.7 billion was received by the NLDF during 2023-24 (2022-23: £1.8 billion). A further £2.3 billion of investment returns on the balance held in the NLDF has been earned since launch. £1.7 billion was drawn down in 2023-24 by lottery distributing bodies to meet grant payments for good causes and expenses.

Under the Third Licence, each type of Lottery product (draw games, scratchcards, etc) returned varying proportions to good causes, whereas, the current Fourth Licence does not follow the same design. In addition to an annual fixed contribution requirement, good cause returns are calculated from the share of total sales remaining - once operator and other allowable costs have been deducted. Under both Third and Fourth Licences, the amount generated for good causes is influenced by the mix of types of Lottery products sold (channel mix) of National Lottery products.

Overall, sales were lower in 2023-24 than 2022-23. This is primarily due to instant product (Scratchcards and Interactive Instant Win games) performance. The National Lottery Operator attributed this to ongoing economic and cost-of-living pressures, with average player spend lower than previous years. Weaker sales performance on instant products was partially offset by a favourable channel mix to digital draw-based games (which deliver the highest returns per pound as they have lower prize payout and digital sales do not incur retailer commission) and positive performance in the core Lotto game. Lotto was supported by several key rollovers and events that increase player participation such as the regular ‘Must Be Won’ draws and initiatives approved to support the game such as marketing and Prize Reserve Trust promotions. EuroMillions sales were lower than the previous year, primarily due to fewer rollovers and therefore lower jackpots.

The department continued to engage with Camelot on all National Lottery performance matters as it approached the end of the Third Licence, with effective stakeholder engagement and monitoring of activity to ensure the good causes returns were maximised. Similarly, the department has continued its proactive engagement with the new National Lottery operator, Allwyn.

Lottery distributing bodies’ grant liabilities and commitments

Lottery distributing bodies’ grant liabilities and commitments for 2023-24 and for 2022-23 (restated) are shown in the table on page 11.

At the year end, the amount held for lottery distributing bodies was £1.8 billion (31 March 2023: £1.7 billion).

Total grant liabilities at 31 March 2024 were £2.6 billion, a £0.1 billion decrease from the £2.7 billion at the prior year end. In addition to these grant liabilities, contingent liabilities at 31 March 2024 totalled £0.6 billion (31 March 2023: £0.6 billion). Contingent liabilities arise when a lottery distributing body has decided in principle to Fund a project, but the liability recognition criteria are not yet met. These contingent liabilities are disclosed as a note in the lottery distributing bodies’ financial statements.

Managing the Fund balances

Distributors are expected to commit the maximum amount prudent to programmes and grants, taking account of projected National Lottery income, available balances in the Fund, existing liabilities and other factors such as likelihood of partnership funding.

Liabilities are made for several years into the future, and it is the case that a proportion of liabilities at 31 March 2024 will relate to distributors’ grant decisions made in previous years. Distributors have a range of mechanisms at their disposal to respond to reduced income, both in managing their existing liabilities and creating new ones.

The department continues to work with lottery distributing bodies to maintain Fund balances at an appropriate level to manage income level fluctuations between years and to ensure commitments already made by lottery distributing bodies can be met. In addition, the department, working with the lottery distributing bodies, has developed a suite of key performance indicators that enables the department to monitor their financial sustainability.

From its ongoing interactions and oversights as described earlier, the department is assured that the distributors have well developed strategies to ensure affordability of existing liabilities and proposed spending programmes within a falling income scenario.

The year on year fluctuations in the grant liabilities and contingent liabilities of the lottery distributing bodies is one indicator of the distributors’ management of current and anticipated income levels. The department will continue to maintain its close interest in lottery distributors’ management of National Lottery funds. In particular, the department will continue to discuss with distributors the impact of income trends on their budgets.

Lottery Distributors are provided with a monthly report containing National Lottery income data and appropriate commentary. Distributors are also provided with indicative good causes income along with a commentary on progress being made to maximise returns to good causes. We continue to work with the distributors to ensure data shared remains useful and robust in aiding distributors in deciding future grants strategy.

Lottery distributing bodies’ grant liabilities and commitments

The figures shown in the table below are based on amounts recorded in the lottery distributing bodies’ unaudited 2023-24 financial statements. 2022-23 figures are restated with audited figures, as unaudited figures were disclosed in the 2022-23 NLDF accounts.

	2023-24								2022-23 (Restated)
	Grant liabilities due within one year	Grant liabilities due later than one year and not later than five years	Grant liabilities due later than five years	Total	NLDF balance available	Grant liabilities made against future income flows	Contingent liabilities	Total commitments made against future income flows	Total liabilities	NLDF balance available	Grant liabilities made against future income flows	Contingent liabilities	Total commitments made against future income flows
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
Arts Council England	203,034	136,439	0	339,473	174,425	(165,048)	0	(165,048)	419,556	210,800	(208,756)	0	(208,756)
Arts Council of Wales	17,122	1,185	0	18,307	18,715	408	3,757	(3,349)	19,723	24,398	4,675	10	4,665
Creative Scotland	20,239	0	0	20,239	31,040	10,801	4,538	6,263	19,155	41,070	21,915	0	21,915
Arts Council of Northern Ireland	1,640	0	0	1,640	5,742	4,102	5,144	(1,042)	1,759	7,144	5,385	0	5,385
British Film Institute	40,658	21,193	0	61,851	49,981	(11,870)	1,060	(12,930)	74,760	45,260	(29,500)	1,926	(31,426)
Sport England	230,061	230,896	0	460,957	219,553	(241,404)	14,564	(255,968)	543,176	195,995	(347,181)	3,146	(350,327)
Sport Northern Ireland	1,208	0	0	1,208	18,035	16,827	1,092	15,735	1,547	18,681	17,134	6,503	10,631
Sport Scotland	5,266	46	0	5,312	50,189	44,877	56,949	(12,072)	8,574	54,111	45,537	59,947	(14,410)
Sport Wales	2,781	0	0	2,781	10,852	8,071	343	7,728	463	14,586	14,123	511	13,612
UK Sport [footnote 7]	3,650	0	0	3,650	59,650	56,000	108,355	(52,355)	8,009	58,114	50,105	180,576	(130,471)
National Lottery Heritage Fund	220,372	344,274	93,144	657,790	628,945	(28,845)	405,811	(434,656)	551,843	526,771	(25,072)	330,272	(355,344)
National Lottery Community Fund	579,748	472,447	682	1,052,877	530,213	(522,664)	13,537	(536,201)	1,011,994	489,079	(522,915)	32,675	(555,590)
Total	1,325,779	1,206,480	93,826	2,626,085	1,797,340	(828,745)	615,150	(1,443,895)	2,660,559	1,686,009	(974,550)	615,566	(1,590,116)

Operating costs

Expenses incurred in operating the Fund by the department (which includes the external audit fee), CRND and by the Gambling Commission in relation to the National Lottery are met from the Fund. These totalled £14.9 million for 2023-24 (2022-23: £22.2 million), of which £14.4 million (2022-23: £21.8 million) related to the Gambling Commission.

Costs incurred by the Gambling Commission relating to the transition to the Fourth National Lottery Licence, which came into operation on 1 February 2024, were £12.2 million (2022-23: £19.4 million).

The table below shows a summary of costs since 2019-20. The Gambling Commission 2023-24 annual report and accounts provides further information on this as well as its continuing role as regulator of the lottery. These can be found on their website, www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

	DCMS (note 4)	Gambling Commission (note 5)	CRND	Total
	£m	£m	£m	£m
2019-20	0.3	16.1	0.1	16.5
2020-21	0.3	17.8	0.1	18.2
2021-22	0.3	26.8	0.1	27.2
2022-23	0.3	21.8	0.1	22.2
2023-24	0.4	14.4	0.1	14.9

Amount held for lottery distributing bodies

The NLDF balance available in the Fund at 31 March 2024 is held in investments by CRND as set out in note 7 to these accounts. The allocation of these funds across the twelve lottery distributing bodies in 2023-24 can be seen in note 9 to these accounts.

CRND publishes an annual report and accounts for the National Lottery Fund Investment Account, which it administers. Copies can be requested directly from CRND. Further information on the investment management role of CRND can be found on its website.

Signed:

Susannah Storey
Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer
Department for Culture, Media and Sport and NLDF

23 July 2024

Accountability report

The Accountability report is divided into three sections: the Corporate governance report, the Remuneration and staff report, and the Parliamentary Accountability Disclosures.

The Corporate governance report provides information on the governance of the NLDF. The Remuneration and staff report provides information on the remuneration of those charged with governance of the NLDF and other relevant information on staff costs.

The disclosure of this information complies with best practice standards of corporate governance and contributes to the NLDF’s accountability to Parliament by virtue of providing a transparent and full account of the corporate governance structure of the NLDF and other relevant information.

Corporate governance report

Directors’ report

Governance structure

The department is responsible for the oversight of the National Lottery regime. Details of the governance arrangements are contained in the governance statement in this annual report.

Directorships and other significant interests

Board members completed their annual declarations of interest. Board members are asked to declare any relevant interests in agenda items at the start of each board meeting and absent themselves from those discussions. No directorships or other significant interests were held by executive board members which may have conflicted with their management responsibilities relating to the NLDF.

Ministers and board members’ remuneration

The details of ministers’ and board members’ remuneration are set out in the Remuneration and staff report in the department’s annual report and accounts.

Reporting of personal data related incidents

There were no reported instances of personal data related incidents during the period relating to the NLDF.

As the NLDF is managed and operated within the department, disclosure can be found in the 2023-24 annual report and accounts which will be available, when published, on the department’s website at:

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-culture-media-sport.

Statement of Responsibilities of the Secretary of State, Accounting Officer and the Gambling Commission

Under section 33(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 (as amended by the National Lottery Act 1998), HM Treasury has directed the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to prepare for each financial year a statement of accounts in the form and on the basis set out in the Accounts Direction, a copy of which may be obtained from the finance team within the department. The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and must give a true and fair view of the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s state of affairs at the year end and of its income and expenditure, Statement of Financial Position and cash flows for the financial year. HM Treasury has appointed the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to be the Accounting Officer for the National Lottery Distribution Fund.

Secretary of State responsibilities

In preparing the accounts, the Secretary of State is required to comply with the requirements of the Government Financial Reporting Manual and in particular to:

• observe the Accounts Direction issued by HM Treasury, including the relevant accounting and disclosure requirements, and apply suitable accounting policies on a consistent basis
• make judgements and estimates on a reasonable basis
• state whether applicable accounting standards as set out in the Government Financial Reporting Manual have been followed, and disclose and explain any material departures in the accounts
• prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Fund will continue in operation
• confirm the Annual Report and Accounts as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and take personal responsibility for the Annual Report and Accounts and the judgements required for determining that it is fair, balanced and understandable.

Accounting Officer responsibilities

The responsibilities of an Accounting Officer, including responsibility for the propriety and regularity of public finances for which the Accounting Officer is answerable, for keeping proper records and for safeguarding the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s assets, are set out in Managing Public Money published by HM Treasury.

My responsibilities over the National Lottery Distribution Fund extend to the receipt of National Lottery revenues from the operator, their placement with the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt and disbursements to the lottery distributing bodies. The Gambling Commission is responsible, using the powers set out in the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, as amended by the National Lottery Act 1998, and in the Licence granted to the operator under section 5 of the 1993 Act, for ensuring that the operator meets their obligations under the Licence, including their financial obligations to the National Lottery Distribution Fund. I have no locus in operational matters related to the Licence.

Under the Third National Lottery Licence, the department was notified of amounts due to be paid to the National Lottery Distribution Fund by the operator; this was overseen by the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission’s commissioners are also required to report after the end of each financial year to the Secretary of State on the exercise of their functions during the year. The Accounting Officer of the Gambling Commission has provided me with a statement of assurance. In this he outlines the compliance work undertaken at Camelot, to the end of the Third Licence on 31 January 2024 which has led him to be satisfied that the payments to the National Lottery Distribution Fund under the Third Licence (during the period ended 31 January 2024) are complete and accurate in all material respects.

The Gambling Commissions’ Accounting Officer statement of assurance outlines the Commission’s regulatory role in overseeing the Fourth Licence, and the activity it undertakes to monitor and track payments to good causes, which has been in place since the Fourth Licence start on 1 February 2024.

For the Fourth National Lottery Licence, an outcomes-based regulatory approach is taken. This places a greater focus on the achievement of outcomes, with assurance being provided directly by the operator, Allwyn. The Fourth Licence agrees and defines regulatory reporting and associated engagement to provide assurance directly to DCMS and to the Commission in relation to payments to good causes. Allwyn have engaged their auditors to provide assurance for the Fourth Licence period. The work completed by their auditors has provided me with assurance that the payments to the NLDF under the Fourth License are materially correct.

As Accounting Officer, I have taken all steps that I ought to have taken to make myself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Fund’s auditors are aware of that information. So far as I am aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware.

I take personal responsibility for the annual report and accounts and confirm that they as a whole are fair, balanced and understandable, as are any judgements used to determine this view.

Governance statement

This statement sets out the governance structure, risk management framework and internal control procedures that have operated within the department and consequently applied to the NLDF during the financial year 2023-24, and accords with HM Treasury guidance.

Oversight of the National Lottery

The department is responsible for the policy and legal framework of the National Lottery regime and works closely with the Gambling Commission, the independent regulator of the National Lottery. Amongst other things, the Gambling Commission monitors and reports on the performance of the current operator and enforces the terms of its Section 5 Licence. The department maintains oversight of the Gambling Commission’s activities through appropriate controls, including a management statement covering regularity and propriety issues, and through an established series of regular meetings and ad hoc interactions.

The amounts raised through the National Lottery for good causes are paid into the NLDF which is managed and run by staff employed by the department. National Lottery monies are independent of government and are distributed by independent lottery distributing bodies at arm’s length from Government. The department implements appropriate controls over the National Lottery distributors, including financial directions, to ensure propriety, regularity and accountability in their handling of National Lottery monies drawn down. DCMS seeks annual confirmation from all Lottery Distributors of key systems of internal control in relation to their handling of National Lottery good cause income. The distribution of National Lottery funding has not been impacted by the move from the Third to the Fourth licence.

Compliance with the Corporate Governance code

The department fully complies with the HM Treasury and Cabinet Office Corporate Governance Code for central government departments, with the following variations:

• The Senior Remuneration Committee (Senior RemCo), previously known as the Senior Pay Committee (SPC), comprising the Permanent Secretary, Non-Executive Board Members and the Director of People and Workplace, fulfils the role of a Nominations and Governance Committee, primarily to scrutinise the proposals for annual SCS pay awards and the non-consolidated performance related awards structure.

• The Head of Internal Audit - the GIAA’s Group Chief Internal Auditor for the DCMS - attends the Audit and Risk Committee (ARAC) rather than the Departmental Board and the ARAC chair reports risks, issues and an overview of the committee’s work to the Departmental Board.

Approach to risk management in the department

The department’s approach to risk management follows the HM Government’s Orange Book Principles.

Further details on risk management activities can be found in the governance statement of the DCMS annual report and accounts 2023-24. This will also include information about the board committee structure, its attendance records and coverage of its work.

Assurance exercises

All DCMS Directors with delegated budgets were surveyed to seek assurance against existing risk management practices and controls, whilst also inviting proposals for improvement. Interviews to probe the underlying issues and findings were held with functional leads to provide more qualitative evidence. Each Director General (DG), and their Director teams reviewed the outcomes of the survey and agreed areas for improvement, then a final panel session was held with the Accounting Officer, the Director Generals, Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) and was chaired by the independent Chair of the department’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee to provide additional challenge and insight.

Alongside the Directors assurance exercise, self-assessments were collated from DCMS functional leads on their progress in implementing functional standards. Development plans are in place to achieve compliance with each functional standard in a way that meets DCMS business needs.

Board performance and effectiveness

The HM Treasury and Cabinet Office Corporate Governance in Central Government Departments: Code of Good Practice requires all departments to undertake an annual Board effectiveness evaluation. DCMS assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of its governance structures as part of the 2023 Machinery of Government changes, and consequently the Board structures were streamlined. In March 2023, the Departmental Board agreed it would meet quarterly, along with regular Non-Executive / Executive Board meetings to ensure Non-Executives were able to regularly scrutinise and challenge delivery, policy and corporate change implementation.

Information management

All Boards and committees are provided with a range of management information in order to review the department’s performance and capability. 

The department provides consistent data, insight and assessment of departmental priorities. This enables the department to obtain a greater view on delivery, anticipate success, identify emerging problems and allow for data driven decision making.

During 2023-24 DCMS successfully implemented a new risk management software tool, which has supported DCMS’ risk maturity through improved risk management reporting processes, improved risk performance reporting and adherence to appetite, as well as presenting risk information in concise summaries through improved graphics and visualisation.

Economic crime

The department’s Economic Crime Strategy and supporting Policy towards all economic crimes, including fraud, bribery and corruption is one of zero tolerance, whether in the core department or the public bodies for which it is responsible. The department’s acceptance to loss from economic crime, as detailed in the DCMS Risk Appetite Statement, is minimal. The department’s Economic Crime Strategy and Economic Crime Response Plan sets out the arrangements for reporting and responding to economic crimes, including fraud. The Strategy, Policy and Plan have been reviewed and updated in line with Cabinet Office guidelines and approved and noted by the ARAC.

The main emphasis of the Strategy and Policy is on economic crime prevention, achieved through risk assessment, process design informed by awareness of fraud risk, and by keeping staff alert to risks.

DCMS has an Executive Board member who is responsible for ensuring that the department’s overall arrangements for managing the risk of economic crime are appropriate and proportionate to that risk. This is the Chief Financial Officer who is also accountable to the Board for the department’s performance in countering all economic crime including, but not limited to fraud, bribery and corruption; ensuring that any lessons learned are translated into strengthened departmental controls; and ensuring the department undertakes an annual fraud risk assessment exercise.

The core department works with its public bodies and the Cabinet Office to identify counter fraud activities, and the lottery distributing bodies operate a Lottery Bodies Forum where they share fraud information and best practice. Through working with the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) and supporting public bodies, the department will continue to strengthen its processes and controls to reduce the risk of fraud. In 2023-24, the department and several lottery distributing bodies have engaged with the PSFA, identifying opportunities to work together in several areas, including data analytics, intelligence sharing and investigation to raise overall capability.

The Economic Crime Response Plan details the processes, procedures and escalation routes that should be followed at all times, and by all staff members, where a suspected fraud arises, ensuring the department maximises the opportunity to attempt to recover funds. The department has a Debt Management Strategy that allows for any and all monies deemed to have been lost to economic crime practices and be considered as Debt, to be actively pursued through a third party.  

Public bodies will also continue to work with their counter fraud specialists, other lottery bodies and appropriate enforcement agencies on any suspected allegations of economic crime and will notify the department’s core Counter Fraud team and other stakeholders and their audit and risk committees as soon as they occur. Lottery distributing bodies within England report fraud and error on a quarterly basis to the department and the devolved administrations set their own reporting requirements for their bodies.

Lottery distributing bodies

We report in this section on any matters of interest arising in the lottery distribution network, in seeking to be assured about onward regularity and propriety in the handling of good cause monies.

The Sports Council Northern Ireland (SCNI) is one of twelve lottery distributing bodies that are funded by the NLDF. The distribution of good causes funding for sport in Northern Ireland is channelled through SCNI, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Communities Northern Ireland (DfCNI) and operates under the brand identification Sport Northern Ireland (SportNI).

SportNI continues to work closely with the NI Audit Office (NIAO) to deliver outstanding accounts for certification by the National Audit Office. It is anticipated that the legacy accounts will be completed by the end of 2025. There is no indication of any issues in respect of regularity in the outstanding accounts. SportNI share of lottery income and investments held by CRND are not material to the NLDF (see note 9).

DfCNI has no indication that the expenditure and income recorded in the financial statements has not been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament or that the financial transactions recorded in the financial statements do not conform to the authorities which govern them.

In the meantime, it is DfCNI’s view, based on its sponsorship and accountability arrangements, that SportNI continues to operate effectively as a Lottery Distributor and in meeting the requirements of the Policy Direction and the broad strategic direction for sports development.

Other key governance activities

Internal audit annual report

With the agreement of the Accounting Officer and the ARC, the GIAA decided not to conduct an audit of NLDF in 2023-24 due to the NLDF’s low risk to the department and the levels of assurance that the annual audits had received in previous years (respectively: 2013-14: substantial, 2014-15: moderate and 2015-16: moderate).

Conflicts of interest policy and procedure

All members of Departmental Board, Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, and Executive Board are required to declare any personal or business interest which may, or may be reasonably perceived (by a member of the public), to influence their judgement in performing their functions and obligations. Where a board member declares a potential conflict at meetings, it is recorded in the minutes and the board member takes no part in the meeting for the duration of that item of discussion.

Whistleblowing

DCMS’s Raising a Concern Policy and Procedure (also known as Whistleblowing) is published on the department’s intranet. DCMS has two independent nominated officers whom staff can approach anonymously to report any concerns they may have about perceived wrongdoings or something that goes against the Civil Service Code (i.e. integrity, honesty, objectivity, impartiality). The department also participates in the annual Civil Service ‘Speak Up’ campaign each year through central communications available on our intranet. In the 2023 People Survey DCMS obtained a score of 85% for inclusion and fair treatment. In addition, 93% of staff reported that they understand the Civil Service Code and what it means for their conduct, 67% knew how to raise a concern under the code, and 79% confirmed they were confident that a raised concern under the Civil Service Code would be properly investigated.

Further information on the number of whistleblowing cases and their outcomes may be found in the DCMS annual report and accounts 2023-24, when published.

Further information on key governance activities

Further information on key governance activities, including highlights of board committee reports, may be found in the governance statement of the DCMS annual report and accounts 2023-24 which is subject to audit, and will be available, when published, on the department’s website at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-culture-media-and-sport.

Such key governance activities include:

• Group write-offs
• Tax Policy for off-payroll appointees
• Ministerial directions
• Personal Data Incidents
• Accounting Officer System Statement
• Internal Audit Annual Report

Accounting Officer’s conclusion

I have considered the evidence provided regarding the production of the annual governance statement - including from the department’s governance structures, reviews of our public bodies (including relevant assurances from the lottery distributing bodies) and the independent advice provided by the ARAC. I conclude that the department has satisfactory governance and risk management systems in place with effective plans to ensure continuous improvement.

Remuneration and staff report

Remuneration policy

Operationally, the NLDF is part of DCMS, and the staff who administer the NLDF and prepare the Fund’s annual report and accounts are employees of DCMS. The NLDF has no employees of its own and, therefore, there are no disclosures to make under a remuneration and staff report for NLDF itself.

Administration of the NLDF is undertaken on a part-time basis by a small number of officials in the department, whose costs are reimbursed by the NLDF. The department does not recharge the NLDF for the remuneration costs of departmental ministers or the Departmental Board.

Management and control of the NLDF is vested in the Secretary of State. Details of the composition of the department ministers and board and remuneration information may be found in the remuneration report of the DCMS annual report and accounts 2023-24 which is subject to audit, and will be available, when published, on the department’s website at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-culture-media-and-sport.

Parliamentary Accountability Disclosures

Regularity of expenditure (this section is subject to audit)

Losses and special payments

There were no losses or special payments made in 2023-24 or 2022-23 relating to NLDF.

Gifts

There were no gifts made by NLDF in 2023-24 and 2022-23.

Remote Contingent Liabilities

There were no remote contingent liabilities in 2023-24 and 2022-23 relating to NLDF.

Fees and charges

NLDF does not provide services to external and public sector customers.

Signed:

Susannah Storey
Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer
Department for Culture, Media and Sport and NLDF

23 July 2024

The Certificate and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Houses of Parliament

Opinion on financial statements

I certify that I have audited the financial statements of the National Lottery Distribution Fund for the year ended 31 March 2024 under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993.

The financial statements comprise the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s:

• Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2024;
• Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure, Statement of Cash Flows and Statement of Changes in Amount Held for Lottery Distributing Bodies for the year then ended; and
• the related notes including the significant accounting policies.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and UK adopted International Accounting Standards.

In my opinion, the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s affairs as at 31 March 2024 and its increase in realised amount held for lottery distributing bodies for the year then ended; and
• have been properly prepared in accordance with the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 and HM Treasury directions issued thereunder.

Opinion on regularity

In my opinion, in all material respects, the income and expenditure recorded in the financial statements have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions recorded in the financial statements conform to the authorities which govern them.

Basis for opinions

I conducted my audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs UK), applicable law and Practice Note 10 Audit of Financial Statements and Regularity of Public Sector Bodies in the United Kingdom (2022). My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of my certificate.

Those standards require me and my staff to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s Revised Ethical Standard 2019. I am independent of the National Lottery Distribution Fund in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the UK. My staff and I have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, I have concluded that the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work I have performed, I have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

My responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Accounting Officer with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this certificate.

The going concern basis of accounting for the National Lottery Distribution Fund is adopted in consideration of the requirements set out in HM Treasury’s Government Financial Reporting Manual, which requires entities to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements where it is anticipated that the services which they provide will continue into the future.

Other Information

The other information comprises information included in the Annual Report, but does not include the financial statements and my auditor’s certificate and report thereon. The Accounting Officer is responsible for the other information.

My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in my certificate, I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

My responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or my knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If I identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, I am required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to report that fact.

I have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matters

In my opinion the part of the Remuneration and Staff Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with HM Treasury directions issued under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993.

In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the parts of the Accountability Report subject to audit have been properly prepared in accordance with HM Treasury directions made under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993; and
• the information given in the Performance and Accountability Reports for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and is in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which I report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the National Lottery Distribution Fund and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, I have not identified material misstatements in the Performance and Accountability Reports.

I have nothing to report in respect of the following matters which I report to you if, in my opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the National Lottery Distribution Fund or returns adequate for my audit have not been received from branches not visited by my staff; or
• I have not received all of the information and explanations I require for my audit; or
• the financial statements and the parts of the Accountability Report subject to audit are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
• certain disclosures of remuneration specified by HM Treasury’s Government Financial Reporting Manual have not been made or parts of the Remuneration and Staff Report to be audited is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
• the Governance Statement does not reflect compliance with HM Treasury’s guidance.

Responsibilities of the Secretary of State, Accounting Officer and the Gambling Commission for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Statement of Responsibilities of the Secretary of State, Accounting Officer and the Gambling Commission, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for:

• maintaining proper accounting records;
• providing the C&AG with access to all information of which management is aware that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements such as records, documentation and other matters;
• providing the C&AG with additional information and explanations needed for his audit;
• providing the C&AG with unrestricted access to persons within the National Lottery Distribution Fund from whom the auditor determines it necessary to obtain audit evidence;
• ensuring such internal controls are in place as deemed necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements to be free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error;
• preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view in accordance with HM Treasury directions issued under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993;
• preparing the annual report, which includes the Remuneration and Staff Report, in accordance with HM Treasury directions issued under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993; and
• assessing the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Accounting Officer anticipates that the services provided by the National Lottery Distribution Fund will not continue to be provided in the future.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

My responsibility is to audit, certify and report on the financial statements in accordance with the National Lottery etc. Act 1993.

My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a certificate that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting non-compliance with laws and regulations including fraud

I design procedures in line with my responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud. The extent to which my procedures are capable of detecting non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud is detailed below.

Identifying and assessing potential risks related to non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, I:

• considered the nature of the sector, control environment and operational performance including the design of the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s accounting policies
• inquired of management, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s head of internal audit and those charged with governance, including obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation relating to the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s policies and procedures on:
  • identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations;
  • detecting and responding to the risks of fraud; and
  • the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations including the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s controls relating to compliance with the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, Statutory Instrument 2010 No. 2863 ‘The Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Order 2010’ and Managing Public Money
• inquired of management, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s head of internal audit and those charged with governance whether:
  • they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
  • they had knowledge of any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud;
• discussed with the engagement team, including the audit teams of the lottery distributing bodies and the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.

As a result of these procedures, I considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the National Lottery Distribution Fund for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: revenue recognition, posting of unusual journals, complex transactions, bias in management estimates, implementation of the Fourth National Lottery Licence and grant payments made by lottery distributing bodies. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), I am required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

I obtained an understanding of the National Lottery Distribution Fund’s framework of authority and other legal and regulatory frameworks in which the National Lottery Distribution Fund operates. I focused on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the National Lottery Distribution Fund. The key laws and regulations I considered in this context included the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, Statutory Instrument 2010 No. 2863 ‘The Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Order 2010’ and Managing Public Money.

Audit response to identified risk

To respond to the identified risks resulting from the above procedures:

• I reviewed the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described above as having direct effect on the financial statements;
• I enquired of management, the Audit and Risk Committee and in-house legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
• I reviewed minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and the Board and internal audit reports;
• I addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements on estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business; and

I communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential risks of fraud to all engagement team members and the audit teams of the lottery distributing bodies and the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

A further description of my responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of my certificate.

Other auditor’s responsibilities

I am required to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to give reasonable assurance that the expenditure and income recorded in the financial statements have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions recorded in the financial statements conform to the authorities which govern them.

I communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control I identify during my audit.

Report

I have no observations to make on these financial statements.

Gareth Davies
Comptroller and Auditor General
National Audit Office
157-197 Buckingham Palace Road
Victoria
London
SW1W 9SP

24 July 2024

Financial statements

Primary statements

Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2024

		2023-24	2022-23
	Note	£000	£000
Income
Income from the National Lottery	2	1,737,044	1,790,245
Investment income	3	83,969	35,480
Other income		1,200	-
Total income		1,822,213	1,825,725
Less: operational costs
Department for Culture, Media and Sport	4	(381)	(313)
Gambling Commission	5	(14,440)	(21,769)
Other expenses		(69)	(69)
Total operational costs		(14,890)	(22,151)
Net realised income for distribution		1,807,323	1,803,574
Amounts authorised for payment to lottery distributing bodies	9	(1,696,004)	(1,578,549)
Increase/(decrease) in realised amount held for lottery distributing bodies		111,319	225,025
Total comprehensive income/(expenditure)		111,319	225,025

All transactions are in respect of continuing operations.

The notes on pages 33 to 46 form an integral part of these accounts.

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2024

		2023-24	2022-23
	Note	£000	£000
Current assets
Receivables	6	61,056	26,441
Investments held by CRND	7	1,736,652	1,659,892
Total current assets		1,797,708	1,686,333
Current liabilities
Payables: amounts falling due within one year		(380)	(324)
Total assets less liabilities		1,797,328	1,686,009
Represented by:
Realised amount held for distributing bodies		1,797,328	1,686,009
Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies	9	1,797,328	1,686,009

The notes on pages 33 to 46 form an integral part of these accounts.

Signed:

Susannah Storey
Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer
Department for Culture, Media and Sport and NLDF

23 July 2024

Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 March 2024

		2023-24	2022-23
	Note	£000	£000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash received from National Lottery operator		1,703,629	1,790,256
Cash paid for operating expenses		(14,834)	(22,557)
Cash paid to lottery distributing bodies	9	(1,696,004)	(1,578,549)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities	8	(7,209)	189,150
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid to CRND for investment		(1,688,795)	(1,767,699)
Cash received from CRND for distribution		1,696,004	1,578,549
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from management of liquid resources		7,209	(189,150)
Change in cash		-	-

All investment income is reinvested by CRND.

The notes on pages 33 to 46 form an integral part of these accounts.

Statement of Changes in amount held for lottery distributing bodies for the year ended 31 March 2024

	Note	£000
Amount held for lottery distributing bodies at 31 March 2022		1,460,984
Total comprehensive (expenditure)/income 2022-23		225,025
Amount held for lottery distributing bodies at 31 March 2023		1,686,009
Total comprehensive (expenditure)/income 2023-24		111,319
Amount held for lottery distributing bodies at 31 March 2024	9	1,797,328

The notes on pages 33 to 46 form an integral part of these accounts.

Notes to the financial statements

1 Statement of accounting policies

1.1 Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Accounts Direction given by HM Treasury. This Direction has been applied consistently in dealing with items that are considered material to the accounts. The accounting policies apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adapted or interpreted for the public sector by the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).

The particular policies adopted by the Fund are described below.

1.2 Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.

1.3 Accounting convention

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to account for the revaluation of assets at fair value.

1.4 Functional and presentational currency

These accounts are presented in pound sterling, the functional currency of the Fund, and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£000).

1.5 Nature of account balances

Balances held in the NLDF remain under the stewardship of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The share of the Fund attributable to each lottery distributing body at the date the Statement of Financial Position was signed, and shown in these accounts, has been certified by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as being available for distribution by each body in respect of current and future committed liabilities.

1.6 Recognition of National Lottery income

Under the Fourth National Lottery Licence, the calculation of Good Causes contributions has changed from the calculation used under the Third National Lottery Licence. Income for the Third and Fourth licence periods has therefore been recognised differently in these accounts.

Third National Lottery income for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 January 2024

IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers applies to National Lottery income on the basis there is a legally binding contract in place. In accordance with IFRS 15, the revenue should only be recognised as the subsequent sale or usage occurs.

Proceeds from the National Lottery due to the NLDF from the operator, are calculated on an annual basis as set out in the Section 5 Licence. Payments are made to the NLDF each week on the basis of actual sales and prizes. The amounts recognised in these accounts for the National Lottery primary contribution include income receivable on ticket sales from 1 April 2023 to 31 January 2024.

Actual prizes, together with National Lottery duty and an element of the operator’s fixed costs relating to sales, are deducted from weekly sales. The balance is pooled, to be shared between the operator and the good causes income.

The operator must seek approval from the Gambling Commission for any promotional events that may reduce the net weekly proceeds into the NLDF. The Gambling Commission will only permit these promotions if they are satisfied that there will be a positive return on the investment.

The National Lottery primary contribution also includes income due to the NLDF from the sale of scratchcards. Under the terms of the licence, income is collected by the operator and paid to the NLDF on packs of cards once a pack becomes settled. This occurs 30 days after a pack is activated or once 60% of the low tier prizes have been won, whichever is the sooner.

The secondary contribution relates to the profits of the operator. When the operator makes a profit greater than the one that it had predicted in its bid, it will share these profits with the good causes. The amount is based on a formula that varies depending on how much the actual profit before interest and tax varies from the forecast. This secondary contribution is recognised when it becomes payable to the NLDF. The Gambling Commission notifies the NLDF of the level of secondary contribution income.

National Lottery prizes that remain unclaimed for 180 days after a draw, or closure of a scratchcard game or interactive instant win game, are paid to the NLDF. Accruals have been made for prizes expiring on or before 31 March 2024 but not yet paid to the NLDF.

Fourth National Lottery Income for the period 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2024

The National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDF) recognises National Lottery income in accordance with IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers as interpreted by the FReM.

The Fourth National Lottery Licence is a legally binding contract that along with the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 sets out the terms of the agreement.

The licence permits the lottery operator to run the National Lottery, and in return the lottery operator is required to make payments to the NLDF, based on a proportion of the surplus received in running the lottery games, in line with the calculations set out in the licence.

The performance obligation is the fulfilment of the contact with the operator. This is satisfied over time as the nature of the promise in granting the licence to the operator is to provide them with a right to access the entity’s intellectual property as it exists through the licence period, rather than at the point in time when the licence is granted.

Each week the operator is required to make a payment to the NLDF in line with the Estimated Annual Payment and Scheduling Methodology. Each completed game week is a milestone that depicts the progress toward complete satisfaction of that performance obligation of the fulfilment of the contract. A game week runs from a Sunday to Saturday and therefore the revenue is recognised close of play on a Saturday when the game week is over.

The transaction price is based on the Estimated Annual Payment and the Scheduling Methodology. This estimate factors in actual sales and prizes each week, National Lottery duty, retailers commission, and an estimate of the Licensees allowable overheads in operating the Fourth National Lottery Licence.

Estimated allowable overheads are determined at the start of the licence year in line with an approved methodology set out in the licence and reviewed by the operator monthly. Costs for the period 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2024 are based on the estimated amounts, any revisions made to the estimates throughout the licence year will be recognised in the period when the updated estimates become known.

There is an inherent risk of estimation uncertainty due to the nature of the calculation used in recognising Good Causes contributions for the 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2024 period. It is not possible to know the extent of the effects of the estimation uncertainty at the end of the reporting period. It is possible, based on existing knowledge, that outcomes within the next financial year that are different from the assumptions used could require an adjustment to the good causes income. Variances in the costs may also be due to timing differences.

Actual proceeds from the National Lottery due to the NLDF from the operator, are only required to be calculated on an annual basis, in line with the 31 December Licence year end.

Where a game week has been completed, but the payment has not yet been received by the NLDF, this has been recognised as accrued income in these accounts.

National Lottery prizes that remain unclaimed for 180 days after a draw, or closure of a scratchcard game or interactive instant win game, are paid to the NLDF. Accruals have been made for prizes expiring on or before 31 March 2024 but not yet paid to the NLDF.

1.7 Recognition of amounts drawn down by lottery distributing bodies

The amounts recorded as drawn down by the Lottery Distributing Bodies represent their actual cash claims.

1.8 Investments

The Investments are financial assets.

HM Treasury has directed CRND that the NLDF may hold investments specified in the Trustee Investments Act 1961. This restricts investments to mainly government issues such as gilt-edged stock and limits the amount that can be invested outside cash and cash equivalents. Investments are held in order to collect contractual cash flows of principal and interest on specified dates therefore under IFRS 9 investments held by CRND are valued in these accounts at amortised cost. These accounts only disclose the cash flows for the movement of cash between CRND, the NLDF and the lottery distributors.

HM Treasury has directed CRND, under sections 32(1) and 32(2) of the 1993 Act that the NLDF may be invested in those investments specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, 5A, 5B, 9 and 9A of Part II of Schedule 1 of the Trustee Investments Act 1961 in such manner as CRND shall, at its absolute discretion, determine.

Having taken account of the department’s wish to avoid negative income returns over a three-month period, but without prejudice to their absolute discretion, CRND intends to exercise its investment powers in accordance with the investment framework.

The department regularly reviews the investments in partnership with CRND.

1.9 Investment income

Investment income is recognised when it is receivable.

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are cash in hand and deposits held with the bank. It is the policy of the NLDF to hold a nil cash balance whenever possible and to transfer all funds to CRND for investment on the day of the receipt. Cash transferred to CRND is treated as investments in the Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with IAS 7.

1.11 Financial instruments

The Fund accounts for financial instruments in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation; IFRS 9: Financial Instruments and IFRS 7: Financial Instruments: Disclosures.

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset in one entity, and a financial liability in another. All financial instruments are initially measured at fair value plus or minus transaction costs. Subsequent measurement requires all financial instruments to be classified as measured at amortised cost or measured at fair value, with the classification made at the time it is initially recognised.

NLDF has classified all investments, receivables and payables as measured at amortised cost.

1.12 Impact of new IFRS and Financial Reporting Manual amendments

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has issued IFRS 17 (Insurance Contracts) which is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. HM Treasury has agreed with the Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB) to delay the implementation of IFRS 17 in central government by 2 years to 1 April 2025. This standard is not anticipated to have a material effect on NLDF in future reporting periods. There are no other standards and interpretations in issue yet to be adopted that the NLDF anticipates will have a material effect on future reporting periods.

2 Income from the National Lottery

	2023-24	2022-23
	£000	£000
3NL Primary contribution	1,346,194	1,705,727
3NL Secondary contribution	17,884	6,326
4NL Good causes contribution	247,371	-
Unclaimed prizes	105,099	70,402
Interest on Players Trust Fund	13,693	7,138
Income from ancillary activities and other items	6,803	652
	1,737,044	1,790,245

The material categories are defined in the ‘Where the money comes from’ section of the Performance report overview.

3 Investment income

	2023-24	2022-23
	£000	£000
Interest received on investments	83,969	35,480

The NLDF’s objective is to provide for the lottery distributing bodies’ liquidity needs, and to maximise returns over the medium term. The range of permitted investments is restricted to those contained within a direction made by HM Treasury, and is implemented by CRND.

All investments in 2023-24 were held as call notice deposits. The increase in investment income is due to an increase in the average interest rate on deposits in 2023-24 to 5.16% (2022-23: 2.32%).

4 Operational costs: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

	2023-24	2022-23
	£000	£000
Administrative costs	305	282
External auditor’s remuneration	73	27
Bank charges	3	4
	381	313

The external auditors did not provide any non-audit services in 2023-24 (2022-23: nil). The increase in the audit fee is primarily due to the additional work required following the move to the Fourth National Lottery Licence within the year.

5 Operational costs: Gambling Commission

	2023-24	2022-23
	£000	£000
Funding recovered by the department	14,440	21,817
National Lottery operator Licence fee income	-	(48)
Amount payable to the department	14,440	21,769

The department recovers the net costs of running the Gambling Commission from the NLDF. The net cost consists of the grant-in-aid paid to the Gambling Commission less the Licence fee income received by the Gambling Commission and surrendered to the department as appropriations-in-aid.

The decrease in funding recovered by the department is due to lower Gambling Commission expenditure in 2023-24 on the Fourth National Lottery Licence programme, in the lead up to the start of the new Licence on 1 February 2024. The competition outcome was subsequently challenged in Court by a number of parties, with some legal challenges remaining ongoing. The amount in funding recovered by the department in 2023-24 incorporates the Gambling Commission’s costs of defending the legal challenges to date.

6 Receivables

	2023-24	2022-23
	£000	£000
Net income due as a result of draws prior to year end	61,056	26,441

The carrying value of receivables is measured at amortised cost.

7 Reconciliation of investments held by CRND at cost to amounts held for lottery distributing bodies

	At 31 March 2024	At 31 March 2023
	Cost	Cost
	£000	£000
Investments held by CRND	1,736,652	1,659,892
Receivables (note 6)	61,056	26,441
Payables	(380)	(324)
Balance held	1,797,328	1,686,009

Under s32 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, all monies held by CRND are regarded as “Investments by the Secretary of State”. Investments represent call notice deposits that are demand deposits primarily with the Debt Management Account and a small proportion held with the National Loans Fund (NLF), and are measured at amortised cost.

The funds are held in a revolving investment Fund. This means that investment returns are re-invested directly into the Fund. The funds are repayable on demand within one working day. For further details on the investing activities of CRND, refer to the NLDF Investment Account published by CRND, available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-lottery-distribution-Fund-investment-account.

The carrying value of payables is measured at amortised cost. Payables are in respect of accruals for the department’s recharges.

8 Reconciliation of increase/(decrease) in amounts held for lottery distributing bodies with net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

	2023-24	2022-23
	£000	£000
Increase/(decrease) in realised amounts held for distributing bodies	111,319	225,025
Investment income	(83,969)	(35,480)
	27,350	189,545
(Increase)/decrease in National Lottery operator receivables	(34,615)	11
Increase/(decrease) in payables for operating expenses	56	(406)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities	(7,209)	189,150

9 Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at 31 March 2024

Beneficiary sectors

	Arts	Sport	National Lottery Heritage Fund	National Lottery Community Fund	Total
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
Share of income from National Lottery	347,409	347,409	347,409	694,817	1,737,044
Other income	240	240	240	480	1,200
Less share of operational costs	(2,978)	(2,978)	(2,978)	(5,956)	(14,890)
Share of net operational proceeds	344,671	344,671	344,671	689,341	1,723,354
Amount authorised for payment to lottery distributing bodies	(410,236)	(344,675)	(259,293)	(681,800)	(1,696,004)
Investment income	16,794	16,794	16,794	33,587	83,969
(Decrease)/increase in balance available	(48,771)	16,790	102,172	41,128	111,319
Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at market value at 1 April 2023	328,672	341,487	526,771	489,079	1,686,009
Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at market value at 31 March 2024	279,901	358,277	628,943	530,207	1,797,328

Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at 31 March 2024 (continued)

Arts bodies

	Arts Council England	Creative Scotland	Arts Council of Wales	Arts Council of Northern Ireland	British Film Institute	Subtotal - arts
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
Share of income from National Lottery	242,422	30,919	17,371	9,727	46,970	347,409
Other income	168	21	12	7	32	240
Less share of operational costs	(2,078)	(265)	(149)	(83)	(403)	(2,978)
Share of net operational proceeds	240,512	30,675	17,234	9,651	46,599	344,671
Amount authorised for payment to lottery distributing bodies	(288,606)	(42,200)	(23,757)	(11,523)	(44,150)	(410,236)
Investment income	11,718	1,495	840	470	2,271	16,794
(Decrease)/increase in balance available	(36,376)	(10,030)	(5,683)	(1,402)	4,720	(48,771)
Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at market value at 1 April 2023	210,800	41,070	24,398	7,144	45,260	328,672
Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at market value at 31 March 2024	174,424	31,040	18,715	5,742	49,980	279,901

Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at 31 March 2024 (continued)

Sport bodies

	Sport England	Sport Scotland	Sport Wales	Sport Northern Ireland	UK Sport	Subtotal - sport
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
Share of income from National Lottery	215,393	28,140	15,633	9,034	79,209	347,409
Other income	149	19	11	6	55	240
Less share of operational costs	(1,847)	(241)	(134)	(77)	(679)	(2,978)
Share of net operational proceeds	213,695	27,918	15,510	8,963	78,585	344,671
Amount authorised for payment to lottery distributing bodies	(200,550)	(33,200)	(20,000)	(10,046)	(80,879)	(344,675)
Investment income	10,412	1,360	756	437	3,829	16,794
(Decrease)/increase in balance available	23,557	(3,922)	(3,734)	(646)	1,535	16,790
Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at market value at 1 April 2023	195,995	54,111	14,586	18,681	58,114	341,487
Amounts held for lottery distributing bodies at market value at 31 March 2024	219,552	50,189	10,852	18,035	59,649	358,277

10 Financial instruments

IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation, IFRS 9: Financial Instruments and IFRS 7: Financial Instruments: Disclosures, have been applied. IFRS 7 requires disclosures that allow users of the accounts to evaluate the significance of financial instruments for the entity’s financial position and performance, and the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments during the period.

NLDF investments are held by CRND at amortised cost and due to the nature of these funds the NLDF is not exposed to the degree of financial risk faced by business entities.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty raising liquid funds to meet liabilities as they fall due.

The investments in CRND deposits are primarily held with the Debt Management Account which is invested in overnight call notice deposits allowing for maximum liquidity. As a result of the policies and procedures outlined above, the department considers that all significant liquidity risks are appropriately managed.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations.

The investments in CRND deposits are primarily held with the Debt Management Account with only a small proportion held with the National Loans Fund. These deposits are obligations of HM Government and therefore considered to have no exposure to credit risk. Receivables relate to income due as a result of draws prior to year end. These monies are also considered to have no exposure to credit risk as legislation requires the operator to transfer these monies to the NLDF.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk for the NLDF relate to changes in market interest rates. The interest return on investments is closely linked to the official Bank Rate. The department does not consider that the NLDF is exposed to any significant interest rate risks because of the nature of the assets held.

11 Related party transactions

The NLDF is maintained under the control and management of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The department is considered to be a related party. During the year, a number of staff employed by the department worked on NLDF related activities and the NLDF used a number of the assets owned by the department. These costs were recharged to the NLDF by the department and are reflected in note 4 of the accounts.

The department is also the sponsoring department of the UK-wide and England-based lottery distributors. These bodies are therefore also considered related parties.

CRND, which is ultimately part of HM Treasury, is also considered a related party. Payments made to CRND during the year total £69k (2022-23: £69k).

The Gambling Commission is sponsored by the department and is a related party. Net payments made to the Gambling Commission totalling £14.4 million (2022-23: £21.8 million) were recharged to the NLDF by the department and are reflected in note 5.

No minister, board member, key manager or other related party has undertaken any material transactions with the NLDF during the year.

For further details please see the 2023-24 department annual report and accounts.

12 Lottery distributing bodies’ share of Fund

The percentages received by each lottery distributing body were set out in sections 22 and 23 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, as amended by section 6 of the 1998 Act and section 7 of the 2006 Act and subsequent secondary legislation.

The current percentages, as amended by Statutory Instrument 2010 No. 2863 ‘The Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Order 2010’ are as follows:

	(%)
Arts	20.000
Sport	20.000
National heritage	20.000
Charitable, health, education and the environment	40.000

Arts	(%)
Arts Council England	13.956
Creative Scotland	1.780
Arts Council of Wales	1.000
Arts Council of Northern Ireland	0.560
British Film Institute	2.704
Total arts	20.000

Sport	(%)
Sport England	12.400
Sport Scotland	1.620
Sport Wales	0.900
Sport Northern Ireland	0.520
UK Sport	4.560
Total sport	20.000

13 Contingent Liabilities

Fourth National Lottery Licence legal costs

Legal challenges to the outcome of the Gambling Commission’s Fourth National Lottery Licence competition decision remain ongoing. The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 section 31 grants powers to DCMS to draw administration expenses associated with the National Lottery from the NLDF, subject to HM Treasury approval. This approval will continue to be followed when necessary in relation to the legal challenge against the outcome of the Fourth National Lottery Licence competition.

Recoverable implementation costs

The terms of the Fourth National Lottery Licence allow the Operator to recover certain costs of implementation, once the recoverable implementation cost’s process is triggered, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Enabling Agreement. These recoverable implementation costs are amortised over the term of the Fourth Licence, and deducted from the amount to be paid to good causes over the term of the licence year in which the amount of recoverable implementation costs is determined.

14 Events after the reporting period

Date accounts authorised for issue

No events occurred up to the date the accounts were approved by the Accounting Officer for issue to Parliament, which was the date the Comptroller and Auditor General signed the audit opinion.

1. The amount held for lottery distributing bodies is shown after operational costs of the NLDF. ↩

2. The grant liabilities and commitments of the lottery distributing bodies, are derived from the bodies, in line with their own accounting policies. These liabilities are not included in the NLDF’s financial statements. ↩

3. 2014-15 income includes the transfer of funds on the closure of the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund (OLDF) of £149 million. ↩

4. 2015-16 income benefited from a 15-week Lotto rollover following the introduction of the 59-ball Lotto game and two extended EuroMillions rollovers. ↩

5. 2022-23 grant liabilities are revised in line with the lottery distributing bodies own financial statements. ↩

6. Grant liabilities for 2023-24 are unaudited and subject to change. ↩

7. Previous year’s figures restated. ↩