Newlyweds plan divorce to get council cash

Dec 11 2008 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Couple forced to plan divorce to pay off debts

HARD-UP newlyweds could even consider divorce in a desperate bid to claw back childcare cash that was slashed when they married.

Mother-of-one Kayleigh Tidswell-Brown, 22, of Woodsome Drive, Mirfield, has lost her £9,400-a-year grant used to pay for her 24-month-old son Taylor’s day care and upkeep while she finishes her degree.

Mrs Tidswell-Brown, who is studying at Huddersfield University to become a teacher, received the money from Kirklees Council.

But after marrying Leigh, 25, in August, Kayleigh has been told she is no longer eligible for any funding, despite information to the contrary from the council.

Now the pair are having to rely on loans from Mrs Tidswell-Brown’s parents as they sink deeper into debt.

Since beginning her degree in 2006, each year Mrs Tidswell-Brown has received the grant for her son’s day care as well as a parent’s learning allowance.