Should the government help incentivise marriage?

The government should help incentivise marriage through state financial support. In a speech, Mr Duncan Smith (Work and Pensions Secretary)has outlined why he thinks married couples should get tax breaks and why it's the government's job to encourage people to get married. The Liberal Democrats oppose the Conservative plans, with leader Nick Clegg calling tax breaks for married couples "patronising drivel that belongs in the Edwardian age".

Do you aspire to marry? What is stopping you from getting married? Is it time to make marriage a priority again? Or is marriage a thing of the past?

Comments

1.Bob wrote:

By all means give married couples state financial support. After the legislation is passed I will then sue the British Government for equal rights!

2. Dai the Tie wrote:

Should the government help incentivise marriage? 'Incentivise'? Is that a British word? It would be simpler for the Government to 'bribe' people to get married.

3. Richard Smart wrote:

"What is stopping you from getting married?" No one wants to marry me. :-(

4. Dr Prod wrote:

A great move. Whatever the marriage haters say, research has consistently demonstrated that the best platform for children is a family consisting of a married man and woman. There can be no argument that this is a fact. It is not perfect and marriages do break down but at least these people have given it a go and shown real committment to one another by sharing all they have and enshrining their love for one another in law. Anything that promotes this structure should be welcomed. In a world where we see more and more feral youth, dumbed down education and more poverty, the institution of marriage should be encouraged and if this means that married couples receive tax breaks then so be it.

5. Potty Harry wrote:

Marriage, or any similar arrangement which provides a stable and nurturing environment in which children can grow to maturity, is already incentivised by evolution. The government should be looking at ways to disincentivise those feckless lifestyles, often dependent on the state, which result in poorer outcomes for children. However, if they want to give me some additional concessions I am not going to complain.

6. richie79 wrote:

To be honest I wish the government would stop overstepping its remit, take its nose out of our private lives and business and instead of wasting vast amounts of OUR money on behavioural engineering projects start using it for the basic civic functions for which it was intended. but which seem to have become buried in a landfill of deeply illiberal initiatives driven by pressure groups and lobbying organisations. However desirable or undesirable the powers-that-be may consider something, it's my choice whether or not I marry, just as it's up to me whether I lose weight, smoke, drink, donate my organs, drive to work or catch the bus, follow a religion, have children or a million other adult decisions which should be driven by individual conscience and preference rather than 'incentivised' and influenced under the new behavioural politics with its nudges, financial penalties, bullying campaigns and legislation.

7. Withnail Xtreme wrote:

Marriage is a personal sanctity of love and commitment towards another person, and as such, is of no business of these meddling idiots. But of course, like everything else, they'll MAKE it their business.

8. ravenmorpheus2k wrote:

Every administration over the past 20 years has been helping families by way of state funding.
How about helping out the average single joe who often has it harder financially due to bills having to be paid in full, rather than half as it would be if they were married/co-habiting. The government shouldn't be discriminating against single people. Living together already has financial benefits, and single people need the money more so they can afford to go out and meet someone!

9. Slave to the System - I am not a number wrote:

Normally I would say as it promotes a stable family, however with divorce settlements favoring the partner my view has changed. Marriage is financial suicide for any man/woman who has achieved anything before that marriage. Forget love, the divorce lawyers would just love to get their hands on your money as marriage followed by divorce is statistically, highly likely and the solicitors will bleed you dry. Even cohabiting isnt safe, put your money in trust, this will keep the vultures at bay and then get married.

10. Keith B wrote :

I think the government would be getting itself into some really dodgy ground if it introduced benefit changes which effectively paid people to get married. People would consider marriage on financial terms, not on relationship terms. "We only got married because it was the only way we could get enough money to buy a house." If the government wants to reinforce family values, it should clamp down hard on single females who think that producing babies is a good way to get "bargaining chips" to use against local authorities, and forcing those authorities to give them a house. This widespread practice is the worst abuse of humanity in Britain today, and should be stamped out. The mothers who do this should have both their babies and their benefits removed.

11. Total Mass Retain wrote:

To those that argue "I don't need a piece of paper to show I love someone" are missing the point. This is about financially looking after #1 and you do need a piece of paper to ensure your partner can leave their estate to you (and can transfer assets without tax concerns between you during their lifetime) and that in the event of relationship breakdown the financial interests of both parties are at least well understood if not totally protected. A partner arguing they don't need such a piece of paper deserved to be questioned somewhat on their commitment to the relationship.

And you see, the best bit is that you actually don't need tell anyone (apart from the Registar and the taxman and possibly employer). It costs you about £100 and you can pop down to the registry office one lunchtime, get two strangers off the street to be witnesses and you have that "piece of paper". Put it away until you need it and don't need to tell your friends or relatives if you don't want to. Conversely if you want to make a fuss and invite your mates and relatives, that's upto you. Since all this should be common knowledge, I don't see why the government need “incentivise” it.

Section 5. Picture

UNIT 4

Section 1. Практикум Линн Виссон

Текст 9

Разоружение: выступление представителя Казахстана

Disarmament: Statement by the Delegate of Kazakhstan (UN, 1999)

(Читается с британским акцентом)

1.Господин Председатель, Позвольте присоединиться к высказанным ранее поздравле­ниям с избранием Вас на высокий постПредседателя третьей сессии Подготовительного Комитета Конференции 2000 года участников Договора о нераспространении ядерного оружия по рас­смотрениюдействия Договора и выразить уверенность, что под Вашим умелым руководством работаПодготовительного Коми­тета пройдет плодотворно и эффективно. Господин Председатель, Придавая важнейшее значениерешениям и резолюциям Кон­ференции 1995 года по рассмотрению и продлению действия Договора о нераспространении ядерного оружия, Казахстан поддерживает усилия, нацеленные на поощрение полного вы­полнения и эффективного осуществления положений этого До­говора. Бессрочный характерДоговора весомо укрепляет основы международной стабильности и безопасности, создает перспек­тивы для успешного продвижения вперед по пути разоружения. Сторонами Договора сегодня являются уже 187 стран мира. Только за последние четыре года к нему присоединились9 госу­дарств, что является существенным шагом на пути обеспечения универсального характера ДНЯО.   2.Накопленный богатейший опыт постконфронтационного развития дает дополнительный импульс многосторонним перего­ворам в целях достижения конкретных решений в сфере безопас­ности, ограничения вооружений и разоружения. Общепризнан­но, что приоритетным направлением переговорного процессаявля­ется ядерное разоружение и укрепление режима нераспростране­ния. В то же время, не предпринимая конкретных действийв этой области, мы никогда не достигнем поставленной цели. Необхо­димо отдавать себе отчет в том, что проблемы ядерного оружия и его нераспространения приобрели взаимосвязанный характер и достижение международной безопасности возможно только при совместных усилиях как ядерных, так и неядерных государств.     Первостепенная роль в содействии решению поставленных задач в области разоружения, на наш взгляд, отводится ООН. От усиления взаимодействия в рамках ООН зависит успешное продвижениемирового сообщества по пути к безопасному, стабильному и процветающему миру.     3. Господин Председатель, Нынешняя сессия Подготовительного Комитета проходит в ответственный период,когда приближающийся рубеж тысячеле­тия остро ставит необходимость глубокого осмысления достиг­нутого и выработки верных параметров международных отноше­ний в будущем. К сожалению, придется констатировать,что на пороге следу­ющего столетия мировое сообщество столкнулось с угрозой рас­ползания ядерного оружия. Становится вполне очевидным, что новый век не будет более безопасным. Однако безысходный пес­симизм не должен возобладать над мировым сообществом. Не­обходимы конкретные действия для устранения ядерной угрозы. Весомым вкладомвдело практического решения стоящих пе­ред мировым сообществом задач в области ядерного нераспро­странения являются разработанные МАГАТЭ действенные меха­низмы контроля за оборотом ядерных материалов, укрепления международной системы гарантий, налаживания эффективного сотрудничества по вопросам ядерной энергетики, радиационной безопасности и обращения с отходами. Современный мир невозможно себе представить без широ­кого использования атомной энергии в мирных целях. Это не только атомная энергетика, но и многочисленные ядерно-физи­ческие изотопные технологии и методики, которые проникли практически во все области нашей жизни. Идет поступательное развитие мирных ядерных технологий, и в этих условиях задача поддержания и укрепления режима нераспространения остается и будет оставаться весьма актуальной. Казахстан уделяет первостепенное внимание ходу реализа­ции инициативы по созданию зоны, свободной от ядерного оружия,в Центральной Азии. Мы убеждены, что зона в Цент­ральной Азии будет представлять собой важный шаг на пути к укреплению режима ядерного нераспространения, развитию сотрудничества в использовании ядерной энергетики в мирных целях, развитию сотрудничества в экологической реабилитации территорий, пострадавших от радиоактивного заражения, содей­ствию всеобщему и полному разоружению и укреплению регио­нального и международного мира и безопасности. Казахстан и далее будет последовательно и конструктивно принимать участие в работе над созданием этой зоны.     4.Господин Председатель, Бессрочное продление Договора о нераспространении ядер­ного оружия является одним из выдающихся событий в сфере укрепления режима нераспространения оружия массового унич­тожения. В то же время, на наш взгляд, представляется доста­точно ясной необходимость развивать успех и продвигаться да­лее к благородной цели полного ядерного разоружения. Мы вы­ражаем надежду, что обзорная Конференция 2000 года ознамену­ется успешными результатами. Делегация Казахстана готова и далее укреплять сотрудниче­ство с делегациями государств — участников Договора для до­стижения этой цели.

1.Mr. Chairman, Allow me to associate myself with the congratulations extended/ addressed to you on your election to the important postof Chairman of the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the Year 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),and to express our confidence/certainty that under your skilled/experienced/wise leadership the work of the Committee will/proceed fruitfully and effectively/achieve positive results. Mr. Chairman, Since we attach the greatest of importance/great importance tothe decisions and resolutions of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Kazakhstan supports the efforts at encouraging the full application and effective implementation of the provisions of this Treaty. The termless/indefinitenature of the Treaty strongly/firmly reinforces the bases of international stability and security, and creates prospects for progress towards disarmament. 187 countries are already parties to the treaty. In the last four years alone 9 states have acceded to it/the treaty/the NPT,and this is an important step towards ensuring its universality. 2.The wealth of experience acquired/gained in post-conflict deve­lopment provides an additional impetus to the multilateral negotiations aimed at achieving specific decisions/practical solutions in the field/sphere of security, arms limitation and disarmament. It is universally acknowledged that a priority area of the negotiation processis nuclear disarmament and the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime. At the same time, without taking/unless we undertake/specific steps/concrete actionin this area, we will never achieve our goal/the goal we have set. We must recognize/ acknowledge/There is a need to recognize/that the problems of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation have become interdependent, and that international security is possible/can be brought about/only through joint efforts by/on the part of both nuclear and non-nuclear states. The primary/highest priority role in promoting/advancing a solution to the issues raised/to these questions/in the disarmament field, as we see it/in our view/is that of/lies with/devolves on/the United Nations. The strength/strengthening of interaction within the UN will determinethe successful progress of the international community towards a secure, stable and prosperous world.   3. Mr. Chairman, The current/present session of the Preparatory Committee is taking place at a crucial/critical time/important point in time,when the approach of the new millennium makes it vitally necessary/urgent/ creates an urgent need/for intensive rethinking of/to ponder in depth/ to take careful stock of/what has been achieved and to draw up/ develop/reliable parameters/a reliable framework/for international relations in the future. Unfortunately, it must be recognized/acknowledged/we must recognize/acknowledge/thaton the threshold of the next century the international community has encountered/run up against/the threat of a spread/proliferation of nuclear weapons. It is becoming quite obvious/evident/clear that the new century will not be a safer one. However, pessimistic gloom/a spirit of pessimism/a sense of futility/ should not dominate/pervade the international community. Specific steps/concrete actions are needed to eliminate the nuclear threat. An important contributionto a practical solution to the problems facing the international community in the area of nuclear non-proli­feration has been made by the effective mechanisms produced by the IAEA to monitor the traffic/turnover in nuclear materials, strengthen the international safeguards system and establish effective cooperation on questions of nuclear energy and radiation security/safety in the handling/treatment of wastes. Today's world is unimaginable/unthinkable without the widespread/broad use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. These include not only atomic/nuclear energy, but also numerous/many nuclear-physics isotope technologies and methods, which have permeated/found their way into/virtually all areas of our lives. There is a progressive development of peaceful nuclear technologies, and in these circumstances the task of maintaining and strengthening the non-proliferation regime continues will continue to be a highly relevant issue. Kazakhstan attaches great importance to/the development of/progress in/the implementation of the initiative for establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zonein Central Asia. We are convinced that the zone in Central Asia will constitute/be/form/an important step towards strengthening the non-proliferation regime, the development of cooperation in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the development of cooperation in the ecological rehabilitation of territories which have suffered from radioactive contamination, and will promote general and complete disarmament and a strengthening of regional and international peace and security. Kazakhstan will continue to participate consistently and constructively/in work on establishing/to establish/this zone. 4.Mr. Chairman, The indefinite/termless extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is one of the most outstanding events in the strengthening of the regime for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, in our view/as we see it,/there is a fairly/rather/clear need to build on that success and to move towards the noble goal of full nuclear disarmament. We hope that the year 2000 review Conference will bemarked by/willachieve/successful results/will be successful in this respect. The delegation of Kazakhstan is ready to continue to strengthen its cooperation with the delegations of states parties to the Treaty to achieve that goal.

Section 2. Phrasal Verbs

FALL

It falls to you to announce that terrible piece of news to all the members of our expedition. 2. I fell out with my sister-in-law. 3. The remark she let fall was not in his favour. 4. He fell over a big stone and cut his toe. 5. I didn't expect that his career would fall through. 6. Their pointed remarks fell flat. 7. It's a great pity he fell out of love with singing. 8. You mustn't fall behind, you may lose your way in the thicket. 9. Silence fell upon the room. 10. His face fell when he heard that the journey was to be postponed. 11. They fell to assembling the apparatus they were eager to equip the labo­ratory with as soon as possible. 12. His voice fell to a whisper. 13. I fell under his displeasure. 14. During the storm the roof of the ramshackle hut fell in.

1. It is your lot to announce that terrible piece of news to all the members of our expedition. 2. I have quarreled with my sister-in-law. 3. The remark she dropped was not in his favour. 4. He stumbled over a big stone and cut his toe. 5. I didn't expect that his career would be so insignificant. 6. Their pointed remarks failed to have the intended effect 7. It's a great pity he doesn't love singing any longer. 8. You mustn't lag behind, you may lose your way in the thicket. 9. Silence set over the room. 10. He pulled a long face when he heard that the journey was to be postponed. 11. They ap­plied themselves to assembling the apparatus they were eager to equip the laboratory with as soon as possible. 12. His voice dropped to a whisper. 13. I'm in his black books (in disfavour). 14. During the storm the roof of the ramshackle hut collapsed.

Section 3. Typical Drill