‘Tax’ proposed on divorce in Britain

As the debate about whether to introduce divorce rages in Malta, news from the UK is that the government there is trying to implement a family-friendly project from the electoral programme.

British Prime Minister David Cameron wants to change the “Big State” into the “Big Society”, after the financial crisis obliged the government to cut down on some public services. Mr Cameron looks at the family as a cornerstone of the “Big Society”.

To promote the family and traditional marriage, and discourage divorce, especially if children are involved, Maria Miller, Undersecretary of State for Works and Pensions, has announced that the government is ready to impose a “tax” on divorce. If divorcing parents cannot come to their own child maintenance arrangements, they will be charged a fee for state help in securing them.

The aim is to convince parents that divorce should be a last resort.

Under the programme, help will be provided to parents to solve the problems in their family. This is a start.

It may be that Mrs Miller will ask for public consultation to find a better way to tax divorcing couples.

Mrs Miller is a mother of three children. She has declared that her party is not ashamed of the traditional family.