I agree about getting a handheld.
I disagree about getting a scanner.
Get an Icom A6E or similar - an inexpensive powerful transceiver that will allow you to listen to RT now, but going forward provides you also with a backup radio that can sit in your flightbag and might just be of great value one day.
Or even cheaper something like an A2, which are pretty cheap second hand on Ebay or AFORS, and still work fine. Just don't buy one without a battery back and charger.
I use an IC-A6E as my main radio when microlight flying, works a treat (N.B. if you want to use it with a headset you separately need BOTH a headset connector cable, and a PTT).
G