The MCS (Marine Conservation Society) and BSAC are calling up British Scuba Divers to join the Battle for Britain’s seas. Join them for a march on Parliament to demand Marine Reserves Now within the Marine Act, which will be published in draft on 3rd April.

MCS, BSAC and public aquaria have collectively gathered over 100,000 signatures in support of a network of highly protected marine reserves, to be delivered to Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn outside the Houses of Parliament. We need YOUR support, so please register as a demonstrator today. Email Sandrac@bsac.com giving your name and contact details.

NB: Only the first 100 Divers will be able to take part in the march (on a first come first served basis). Please DO NOT simply turn up on the day without registering first.

More details:
Date: 3rd April
Assembly Time: 11:00am
Assembly Point: In front of County Hall (by London Aquarium)
What to bring: Mask & Snorkel. (optional: Diving suit, booties, fins, but NO Dive Knives, Tanks, or Weights).
NB: There will be no changing or storage facilities

A Marine Reserves Now! T-Shirt will be provided to participants.

The March will start at 12:15, to arrive at Old Palace Yard at 12:45. There will be a photocall with divers congregated outside the Houses of Parliament and presentation of the Marine Reserves Now! petition to the Environment secretary at 13:00.

This isn’t dive-related at all, but it is something that affects a great number of long-term HIV sufferers, so I hope you’ll forgive me for posting it here.

I would urge everyone to sign the petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/DLA-Review/. Please read on, to discover why…

Back in the ’80s and early 90’s, when HIV was considered a terminal illness, and the life expectancy of HIV sufferers was only a few months, the government awarded Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to large numbers of HIV sufferers (and, of course others with chronic illnesses). DLA recipients are normally subject to a Periodic Review process, but those with terminal, chronic and/or incurable conditions were exempt from this - their benefits were guaranteed “for life”.

The vast majority of those awarded DLA at the time have since passed away, however a few lucky ones survived. Over the course of the last 10-20 years, they have, naturally, structured their lives and finances on the assumption that they would continue to receive this benefit.

However, in May last year, this exemption was removed, with no prior consultation or publicity, and now many long-term HIV sufferers face having their benefits reduced, or removed altogether. This process has already begun. The Government is making no effort to find employment for, or offer other assistance to those whose benefits are stopped.

Although HIV is no longer considered a terminal disease, those who have been taking various HIV medications for such a prolonged period are often unable to work, due to problems such as Severe fatigue, Arthritis, Liver disfunction, etc. Even for those who are able to work, finding employment is likely to be difficult - many are in their 50s - and the first question any employer is likely to ask is “So, why haven’t you been working for the last xx years?”.

While I’m not suggesting that benefits should be paid to those who don’t really need them, I think the sudden removal of benefits that have been assured for many, many years is likely to cause real hardship for those it affects - possibly even causing homelessness (I know of people who have obtained mortgages on the basis of these “assured” benefits). The Government should at the very least be providing support for those whose benefits are being removed - either by a gradual reduction, or by helping them to find employment, prior to removing the benefits.

Please go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/DLA-Review/ and put your name to the petition.

Thanks,

Neil.