Hello Rishi. I've been thinking some more about this viability thing.

Some people have noticed that other countries in Europe have aimed more targeted support at the events and creative industries who've been forced to stop working for a year. Maybe they love their culture 1/

more than we do, eh? - but I've been thinking, it might just be possible that they've realised it's a good investment.

Let's imagine we've reached that brilliant day when you decide you want to switch us back on. A third of the events workforce, who haven't received anything 2/

at all so far, decided you were right, they just aren't viable. Another third took your advice! They retrained when they realised they were facing another half a year with no work. Doesn't that leave a rather big hole in our GDP where £56bn used to be? 3/

Fun fact! The creative industries were growing at a rate 5 times faster than the rest of the economy before this started! But you probably know that already, that's a Government figure.

And that's without factoring in the wider impact, 4/

because events are destination spends. You're going to a concert - you get a new outfit, have your hair done, take a taxi to the venue, buy a few drinks, maybe a meal before the show, cheeky hotel stay after.

We in creative industries and events 5/

aren't a bunch of failing hobbyists looking for a handout. We're a legion of highly-skilled, successful small businesses who have been told NOT to go to work. More than that, we're a genuinely world-beating asset to this country.

Invest in us. We help make the UK viable. 6/6