This cartoon by Mac from The Daily Mail relates to yesterday's budget, in which Chancellor George Osborne announced that child benefit will be completely withdrawn when somebody earns more than £60,000. Read more >>
A man arrives home from work and tells his wife some terrible news—he's been given a pay rise. Normally, of course, this would be good news, but the rise has obviously pushed his salary above the £60,000 threshold meaning that his wife will lose her child benefit (which must be substantial as they have five children and the wife is expecting a sixth).
GRAMMAR
'News' is an uncountable noun and cannot be used with the indefinite article 'a', or a plural verb. So you would say, for example:
• I've got good news for you. (NOT I've got a good news)
• I've got some good news for you.
• I've got a good piece of news for you.
• The news is good. (NOT The news are good)
ALSO SEE
• Child Benefit: Some families still lose out despite welfare climbdown (The Independent)
• Budget 2012: pulling back from child benefit cliff edge still leaves dangers (The Guardian)
