Sunday 4 January 2009

Reader's letter of the day

From Saturday's Times:

Marital punishment

Sir, Recently my wife and I had the pleasure of helping a couple who had been separated for three years come back together. Their three children were delighted and soon I will have the privilege of conducting the rededication of their wedding vows.

I was surprised to learn that the moment they began to live together as husband and wife they had to inform the benefits office and the local council. In consequence considerable financial support was removed from the family. What sort of Government finds it perfectly reasonable to financially reward adultery and desertion but penalises fidelity and commitment in marriage?

Rev Dr Anthony J Carr, Wroxall Abbey, Warwickshire.


Hardly news, but this is something that cannot be mentioned often enough.

3 comments:

Simon Fawthrop said...

So much for doing every thing he can for "hard working families". Doesn't the Scottish git who resides in 10 Downing Street realise that maintaining a marriage relationship is hard work in itself?

M said...

It is a problem, the situation penalises a positive solution. But the underlying problem is that the welfare state has morphed into an overly complex organisation that subsidises certain lifestyle choices, regardless of whether they are beneficial to society, rather than being the safety net Beveridge intended.

Dr Evil said...

It's topsy turvey thinking. If you are a single mother with 3 children, you get mega priority and benefits and a place to live. That's what they are geared for, not married couples with children. Or married couples in general come to that. It's a financial pat on the back for not bothering.