A campaign to allow carers to receive National Lottery funding is back on track with the re-election of a Labour Government.

Plans for a new law were introduced as a private members bill but failed to make the statute book because time ran out before the General Election.

The Eastern Daily Press is backing calls for a change in the law, which would benefit the paper’s own We Care 2000 Appeal.

The current state of the law prevents endowment trusts – like the charity- getting Lottery cash.

Norwich North MP Ian Gibson, who launched the Bill, was re-elected and hopes the changes can now come about.

Because of the work that was done before the election, many legal hurdles have already been cleared.

Dr Gibson’s proposal retains cross-party support and if he makes no progress he has promised to seek other methods to take the idea forward, including a 10-Minute Rule Bill or another private members’ bill.

The We Care appeal has already raised more than £560,000 and if the changes to the law were agreed, it could open the door for a similar amount to come from Lottery funds. The appeal’s aim is to raise £1m to set up a trust fund to support thousands of Norfolk carers.

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