UK stunts British boy's Bolshoi career
Published 31 October, 2007, 06:11
A rising British ballet star is one of a select few to become a student of the renowned Bolshoi ballet school. But despite his talent, British authorities have taken the 16-year-old's child benefit away. His family is now accusing the UK government of financially stunting his potential.
Henry Perkins made the news as the second-ever boy in Britain accepted to the most famous dance academy in the world – the Bolshoi – in its 230 years’ history.
Henry, who started dancing at five, briefly attended the Royal Ballet School at eleven before finding a former Bolshoi principal in London – who introduced him to the Bolshoi school and accompanied him on his successful audition in Moscow.
Now his mother is challenging the British authorities who not only refused her a grant to help with the cost of his studies in Russia, but even deprived her of the child benefit.
Sue Perkins says the benefit is only 75 pounds and a few pence, which might not seem a lot: “That 75 pounds- is very important. And I still have to feed and clothe him – just like any parent in this country has to do,” she says .
Shadow Defence Minister Gerald Howarth believes the problem is related to bureaucracy.
The law says if the pupil from the UK is studying in Russia – which is outside the EU – then the rules say you can’t have the benefit. Well, it’s monstrous – this family have paid taxes, they are entitled to that money and the rules should be adapted to the circumstances," he says.
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