Government hasn't done enough to encourage marriage, says Chief Rabbi

Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks said the Government had not done enough to encourage marriage PA

The UK's Chief Rabbi has expressed his disappointment at the Government's marriage policies.

Lord Sacks told The Times that the Government should recognise marriage in the tax system and give more support for stay-at-home mums or the cost of childcare provision.

"I think the Government has not done enough," he told the newspaper. "Although I don't take a party political stance ... I don't think the Government has done enough at all.

"The State has an interest in marriage because the cost of family breakdown and non-marriage, the last time I looked at it, was estimated at £9 billion a year."

Lord Sacks is about to step down from his position as Chief Rabbi after 22 years.

There is disagreement in the Coalition Government over Chancellor George Osborne's promise to include a tax break for married couples in his Autumn Statement. The Lib Dems oppose the measure.

There has been criticism within Osborne's own party of the new £1bn scheme to help working parents cover the cost of childcare.

Under the scheme, households with two working parents earning up to £300,000 a year will receive up to £1,200 for every child. However, households with one stay-at-home parent will not benefit.

The Chief Rabbi went on to criticise the concept of multiculturalism, saying it had created "segregation and inward looking communities".

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.