Children's charities are hoping to win more Government funding, following a change to the National Lottery Bill.
An amendment loosening the grip of the culture secretary over the BigLottery Fund was passed as the proposed law cleared the House ofLords.
The change means the fund will only have to "take account of" directionsfrom the culture secretary, rather than "comply with" them as specifiedin the previous Bill.
Campaigners say the amendment will ensure that lottery money is notunduly directed towards Government priorities. Nicola Tullet, assistantdirector of fundraising at the children's charity NCH, said: "This isfantastic news because it means funding decisions will be made accordingto local need."
But the House of Commons may still scrap the amendment before the Billbecomes law.
