We are in challenging times of uncertainty and an unknown future which will affect every single person, though financially it will affect some more than others!

This needs to be addressed immediately and there is an obvious answer.

It's a scary time for those people who might lose their jobs, for parents worrying about their health and the health of their children, for single parents having difficulty making ends meet whilst they look after children who may soon be out of school. For those who are self isolating and can't earn. For those too afraid to go about their usual daily routines. For those over 70 or who have underlying health conditions and are at greater risk. For those whose mental health is already at risk.

To help to ease this situation I am suggesting that the National Lottery donate ALL available funds to those who are currently the most vulnerable in society. So every time someone buys a lottery ticket they know the money will go directly to help those who need it most right now.

People who have more can give more, those who have nothing receive more. 

In June last year Camelot UK Lotteries Limited (‘Camelot’) announced that National Lottery ticket sales for the 2018/19 financial year (1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019) were £7,206.8 million – an increase of £255.1 million on the previous year. Of this £1,654.7 million was given to Good Causes (around £30 million every week), that means a huge £5,552.1 million or £5.5 billion was paid out in prize money, running costs and profit in ONE year. So we need to call on Camelot UK to limit running costs, cap winnings and cap shareholder profits to allow more money to be given to good causes and the most vulnerable immediately.

This could be a force for good in the country right now and given that sporting events are being cancelled and people may still want an outlet to create that winning feeling there is huge scope for positive change ... and if more people play the lottery knowing that their money is going directly to those who need it most we could all help to balance the financial burden during this difficult time.