Tag: Assisted dying

Benefits Squeeze and Moving to Isle of Man

There has been considerable negative comment on the Chancellor’s attack on social security benefits. There could be over 1 million people affected by substantial reductions in Personal Independence Payments (PIPs). I will avoid comment on the morality or necessity of this but the fact that there are such large amounts currently paid out which means the reduction could be up to £6,300 per year surely indicates that the scheme is quite generous at present – maximum payments under PIP can be up to £9,500 per year.

The reports reminded me to look at whether my wife would qualify for Carers Allowance which might be under attack as I am registered disabled and get an Attendance Allowance payment (it’s not means tested). That might qualify her for a Carers Allowance as she does the washing and sometimes takes me to doctor’s appointments. But the rules are so complicated this will take some time to look into. See https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility for details.  The whole system of financial support for disabled people needs simplifying.

Meanwhile should I research moving to the Isle of Man? The island’s parliament has decided to support assisted dying for residents which I wholeheartedly support while the similar English legislation is bogged down in delays. With very low income taxes (see https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/isle-of-man/individual/taxes-on-personal-income ) and no capital gains tax it looks very attractive now even if the weather might not be great.  

Roger Lawson (Twitter: https://x.com/RogerWLawson  )

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Assisted Dying Debate, London Elections and Book Review

On Monday there was a debate in Parliament on assisted dying – see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5wPhNupqXc . I have been a long- standing supporter of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society – now called Dignity in Dying. It is long overdue for Parliament to change the law so it’s worth listening to the debate. One speaker argued that not only might some people be persuaded to kill themselves by others but they may persuade themselves. That is a most peculiar argument. There was the usual call for palliative care to be improved but relying on that is problematic. When I want to leave this world I don’t want to be blocked by complex rules or laws.

Today we have the elections in London and other regions.   In London other contenders have been catching up on Sadiq Khan according to the latest opinion polls. But he is still likely to win the vote for Mayor as the opposition is split and so many people don’t vote.

So it is extremely important to get out there and vote today!

Personally I have voted for Susan Hall as the only person with a real chance of ousting the liar Sadiq Khan, the destroyer of London’s transport network with his Transport Strategy. But I voted for Reform Party candidates for the other positions. Some tactical voting is the order of the day.

For lighter entertainment, I have just finished reading the book Brazilian Adventure by Peter Fleming (brother of James Bond author Ian Fleming). This is was first published in 1933 and is ostensibly the story of a search for Colonel Fawcett who disappeared in the Amazon jungle 7 years previously. But in reality it’s the ripping yarn of a few young and inexperienced men seeking adventure.

It’s well written, brings the milieu to life and therefore is recommended. Here’s one sentence from it: “The sun had just risen. It’s light no more than grazed the world, gilding the crests of ridges, from the blue hollows between them picking our little save the tallest trees and the wisps of vapour which hung wherever there was water.”  

Roger Lawson (Twitter: https://twitter.com/RogerWLawson  )

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