Dusty Wentworth

A Lived Example: The Wheelchair Assessment After waiting thirty weeks for an NHS wheelchair assessment, I prepared to attend a crucial appointment. On the morning of the appointment, my car failed to start. Public transport was not an option: buses would not have got me there on time, and even if they had, broken ramps and delays made them unreliable. Missing that appointment would have meant being left in a wheelchair that no longer met my needs, leaving me in pain and at risk of injury. A call to my trusted private hire company changed everything. A driver who knew me arrived quickly, folded and stowed my chair, and ensured I reached the hospital on time. This was not a luxury journey; it was a vital safeguard of my mobility, health, and independence. It illustrates why taxis are not optional for disabled people — they are essential. Introduction The Chancellor’s reported proposal to impose 20% VAT on taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) fares has sparked widespread debate...

For most, saving for a flat or a car represents a key milestone—a significant step towards independence. But for many disabled people in the UK, that same sum represents the cost of their freedom.  A reasonably priced, custom-built wheelchair—the kind that enables a full and active life—can cost around £5,000. It is an essential piece of equipment that many must fund out of their own pocket, a sum that could otherwise have been a deposit towards their future. A Week in the Life of a Free-Wheeler Chloe is a graphic designer in her twenties. She loves gigs with friends, navigating London’s busy streets, and building a creative career. But every day she faces a silent battle. The wheelchair provided by the NHS, while functional, is heavy and cumbersome. Trying to board a crowded bus, she feels the eyes of passengers as she struggles with the weight. Her shoulders and wrists ache with every push. It is a daily battle between body and chair—a battle she cannot win. This is n...