Seoul searching In sharing my Paralympic perspectives, and memories, my thoughts turn quickly to Seoul 1988. Seoul 1988 was the first time the Paralympics took place in the same city as the Olympics since Tokyo 1964. In many ways it was also the first modern Paralympic Games and it was also the first Paralympic Games …
Category archives: Diversity and Inclusion
Paralympic Perspectives I
Golden Glory Golden glory for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that is what Tokyo 2020 has hosted for our tremendous Olympic athletes and all those who have supported them on such a uniquely difficult journey. Kenny X 2 then add to make 12 golds in one household, totally tremendous. Alongside, a velodrome hosting British medal …
National Disability Strategy Published
The Government’s long awaited National Disability Strategy has just been published. Over 1 in 5 people in the UK are disabled. That is over 14 million of us. Whether a condition you are born with, an age-related condition that develops in later life, or something that happens along the way. It is not unusual, and …
How safe are e-scooters?
Last summer (July 2020) the government launched e-scooter trials across the UK. Under current regulations, e-scooters can be legally rented from licensed operators, they are speed limited (15.5mph) and are allowed only on roads or cycle lanes, not pavements. Private e-scooters are legal to own – and are widely available online or shops – but only for …
UK Cash Infrastructure – Critical UK Infrastructure
First, they closed the bank branches, then they closed the cash machines, then they questioned the point of cash itself, then they didn’t financially serve us. Our streets, left high and financially dry. Banks and cashpoints were already closing pre-Covid. The pandemic has accelerated five years of reductions into one. Covid has led to the …
Continue reading “UK Cash Infrastructure – Critical UK Infrastructure”
Channel 4 launch Paralympic Film for Tokyo 2020
In this year of Tokyo 2020, I thought it was time to pen some Paralympic perspectives: what to expect, who to look out for, how it may all pan out. No more exciting time to do this than on the day we at Channel 4 launch our latest Paralympic promo film. I’m excited, I’m also …
Continue reading “Channel 4 launch Paralympic Film for Tokyo 2020”
Back Cash and Inclusive Digital Transition
Already in sharp decline, Covid, like Don Maclean’s jester has stolen cash’s crown. ATM withdrawals are down 80% in London and though significant, loss of cash is not and must not be allowed to become a terminal inevitability. I was delighted to write on the role of cash in our communities and how we transition together to …
Continue reading “Back Cash and Inclusive Digital Transition”
Financial Services Bill Amendments: ‘Lead Generators’ – Time for Regulation.
Today (3 March 2021), in the House of Lords, I am putting forward an amendment to the Financial Services Bill which would increase protection for those who find themselves vulnerable to the sharp practice of ‘lead generators’ when they are seeking debt advice. The amendment is designed to prevent practice of so called ‘lead generation’. …
Continue reading “Financial Services Bill Amendments: ‘Lead Generators’ – Time for Regulation.”
Financial Services Bill Amendments: Adding a Financial Inclusion Objective to the FCA Remit
Today (22 February 2021) is the first day of Committee Stage for the Financial Services Bill in the House of Lords. I will be speaking in support of several amendments and putting forward three amendments in my own name; to better protect small and medium-sized enterprises, to review financial services regulation and to ensure more …