96% of UK public think terminally ill should have the right to choose assisted dying

THE latest research by Final Duties, the UK's most experienced probate brokers, has found that 96% of the UK public believe someone who is terminally ill should have the right to opt for assisted dying.

Just last week, a private members bill progressed to the House of Keys which would give terminally-ill residents on the Isle of Man the right to die.

The survey of the UK public, commissioned by Final Duties, has found that the overwhelming majority would agree should similar steps be taken across mainland UK.

The survey found that 96% agree with the choice of assisted dying in cases of terminal illness.

75% believe that those with a terminal illness in the UK should have the right to choose assisted dying if they so wish, with a further 23% supporting the choice if the person in question is in pain or suffering.

What's more, just 20% think assisted dying should only be an option if the person in question has 6 months or less to live, with 81% supporting the choice for those with a terminal illness regardless of the prognosis.

89% also believe that the option of assisted dying should be solely the choice of the person in question, while 10% think that family members should also have to agree.

Interestingly, � of those surveyed do believe that medical professionals should have a say on the decision.

Managing Director of Final Duties, Jack Gill, commented:- "The topic of assisted dying is incredibly sensitive and one that certainly shouldn 't be viewed lightly. However, it is a subject that has come to the forefront increasingly in recent years, with a number of countries passing laws to allow it in various forms. The Isle of Man could be the next to follow suit and it would appear that the vast majority of the public would also be in favour of such laws for those suffering from a terminal illness here in the UK."

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Demand for exemption information grows as XL bully ban looms

BLUE Cross pet charity is calling on Defra to release information and access to the:- 'exemption portal' following its announcement of plans to ban XL bully type dogs by the end of the year. Owners have been given just 12 weeks to register their dogs and secure an exemption certificate, but the Government has failed to explain and provide clarity on how owners can take action to exempt their pet within the very limited timeframe and a deadline of the start of February 2024.

Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross said:- "To announce the ban as coming into force without advice for those owners of well behaved and much-loved pets in how they take action as soon as possible to register their dogs as exempt, is incredibly alarming and unfair. The Government has put a huge amount of anxiety and stress on owners of the types of dogs that could be caught up in the ban under the very wide breed type definition provided."

The Government has advised owners to ensure their dog is microchipped (already a legal requirement for all dogs), neutered as soon as possible, kept on a lead and muzzled when out in public. The advice is then to apply for a certificate of exemption, however details of how to register are still not in place and there is currently no time frame on when the online registration portal will be available. The cost to register will be �92.40 per dog.

Becky continued:- "It has already been over a week since the Government released their definition of the type of dogs that may come under the ban, but owners still lack the important details of how they can get their dogs exempted. For thousands of worried owners the clock is ticking, as from 1 February 2024 it will be illegal to own an XL bully type unless it is on the Index of Exempted Dogs."

Blue Cross is urging animal lovers to write to their MP and express their concerns around the impact this ban is going to have on responsible pet owners, animal welfare charities and the veterinary sector and ask the Government to give this legislation the scrutiny and overhaul it deserves.

Find your local MP and download the template letter at:- BlueCross.Org.UK.

From the end of December 2023 it will be against the law to:-