This year, the National Lottery has funded millions into local economies, and according to a study based on the latest government statistics, this report reveals which local authorities have seen the most funding per person.
The research examined data from the Department for Media, Culture, and Sport, looking at grants with a date awarded during 2024. The grant totals were combined by local authority and then compared against the local authority’s population to reveal the amount per person.
The Orkney Islands have received the biggest lottery grant per head at £76.73. In total, the Orkney Islands have received £1.68 million in funding to date in 2024, with sport receiving the biggest chunk of lottery cash so far, followed by heritage.
The penultimate entry on this list is Stirling, which has received £26.54 per head. The majority of the total £2.45 million funding in this area has been allocated to sport.
In this top ten listing, England is the most represented country in the UK, with five areas in the top ten, three of which are in London. Scotland and Wales both have two areas in the top ten, with the Scottish Orkney Islands crowned the most lottery-funded location in the UK. Northern Ireland has just one entry in the top ten, Belfast, which is ranked at number seven.
Top 10 most-funded lottery locations in the UK
| Rank | Local authority area | Grant amount per person |
| 1 | Orkney Islands | £76.73 |
| 2 | Blackburn with Darwen | £46.16 |
| 3 | Cardiff | £40.68 |
| 4 | Westminster | £40.54 |
| 5 | Charnwood | £34.32 |
| 6 | Richmond upon Thames | £30.36 |
| 7 | Belfast | £29.13 |
| 8 | Gwynedd | £26.70 |
| 9 | Stirling | £26.54 |
| 10 | Islington | £25.69 |
Commenting on the study, a spokesperson from NoDepositRewards.org said:
“This research highlights the significant impact that National Lottery funding has had on local communities across the UK, especially in areas like the Orkney Islands, which have received the highest funding per head this year.
“It’s encouraging to see how these funds are being directed towards various sectors, from sports to arts and heritage, contributing to both community development and cultural enrichment.”
