The Friendly Times

The UK Government has set its sights on reducing the number of disabled people reliant on benefits. With the cost of disability benefits now surpassing defence spending, ministers argue that reform is overdue. But behind the statistics and spending figures lie real lives and challenges—ones that can’t be fixed with quick cuts or tougher rules. The Rising Cost of Disability Benefits Disability benefit claims have surged significantly in recent years. According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the number of people entitled to receive a disability benefit rose from 3.9 million in 2002 to 6.9 million by 2024, representing a 77% increase over two decades. The financial cost of this rise is striking. Spending on disability benefits has reached £64.7 billion annually, with projections estimating this figure will exceed £100 billion by 2030, surpassing the UK’s current defence budget by 20%. (House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, Reuters) While these numbers demand attention...

  In the grand scheme of our professional lives, meetings are like the clothes we wear every day. Just as we tend to gravitate towards our favourite outfits that make us feel comfortable, confident, and stylish, we should approach our meetings with the same mindset. It's time to take a closer look at our "meeting wardrobe" and decide which ones are worth keeping and which ones should be tossed out like last season's fashion faux pas. As Marie Kondo, the renowned Japanese organising consultant, would say, let's keep only the meetings that spark joy! The Favourite Sweater Meeting We all have that one cosy sweater that we can't help but wear on repeat. Similarly, there are meetings that we genuinely look forward to attending. These are the gatherings where we feel energised, engaged, and truly productive. Perhaps it's the dynamic team members, the fascinating subject matter, or the skillful way in which the meeting is conducted. Whatever the reason, these are...

To keep or not to keep, that is the question. As I step away from some voluntary roles, I'm faced with a conundrum. What do I do with all these digital files I've collected over the years?  Part of me wants to go on a deleting spree to clear out the cobwebs, so to speak. But then I pause. These emails and documents are not just clutter. They're a piece of our history, our digital legacy. Think about it. We don't write letters anymore. We write emails—thousands of them. And if we just hit delete, Blam! That history is gone. Future generations will wonder how we lived and communicated. Our digital files could be the key to understanding our world. But here's the catch: Storing all this data comes at a cost. Those big, humming data centres that keep our digital lives afloat are energy guzzlers. They need a lot of water to stay cool, and all of that impacts the environment. So, what's a digital hoarder to do? First things first, take a deep breath. Then, take a good...

In the 1990s, I worked with Mary Wilkinson, the editor of  Disability Now,  and Ann Frye, the Head of the Inclusion Unit at the Department of Transport, to advocate for improved compensation for disabled individuals whose wheelchairs were damaged by airlines. This campaign, Flight Rights, aimed to address the inadequate compensation for the damage caused to wheelchair users' equipment.  Almost thirty years later, Channel 4, a UK TV station, aired a compelling documentary hosted by Sophie Morgan that deeply moved and concerned me. Fight to Fly   sheds light on the often degrading and dehumanising experiences faced by disabled individuals, particularly those with severe disabilities, when attempting to fly. This eye-opening exposé highlighted the crucial " Rights on Flights " campaign, which aims to revolutionise air travel for disabled passengers. As someone who believes in the dignity and equality of all individuals and has more than a passing interest in the subject...

A recent visit to London's National Theatre to see "Nye," a play about Aneurin Bevan, the National Health Service (NHS) architect, left me with a profound sense of gratitude and contemplation. The portrayal of the man who, after the Second World War, was instrumental in establishing a health system that would become the envy of the world was not just a history lesson but a stark reminder of the value of universal health care and the importance of caring for others. (I contracted polio as a child in 1949; had it not been for the NHS, I would not be writing this article). Amid the relentless news cycle that bombards us with tales of calamity, corruption, greed, hatred and societal stagnation, it's easy to overlook the quiet yet powerful force that holds our communities together. It's the workforce engaged in care, service, and support—a force powered by millions of individuals whose daily work is dedicated to the well-being and safety of others. These are the unsung...

Every morning, without fail, Sue takes our dog, Crumble, for a stroll around the neighbourhood. It's their little ritual, a bit of 'me-time' for both. I enjoy the peace and quiet, contemplating the mysteries of the universe or, more likely, just savouring a coffee and relishing the fact that I'm not the one picking up Crumble's "presents" along the way. Sue's walks are more than just walks. They're mini adventures, and she always returns with some local news or a snippet about the progress of the seasons, flooding in the fields, or the latest neighbourhood drama. You know, the real hard-hitting stuff. On this particular day, Sue's curiosity was piqued not by the usual neighbourhood gossip or Crumble's antics (though watching her try to catch a squirrel is always entertaining). No, it was something unusual. As she walked into our drive, she decided on a whim to check the flowerbeds next to her car, probably hoping to find that missing earrin...