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Marriage

Answer

The Government published its consultation, “A Fairer End to Relationships”, on 5 June. Alongside the consultation, the Government published a Family Test, which considers the impact of the proposals on families, including on family formation. The Family Test is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a-fairer-end-to-relationships/the-family-test-a-fairer-end-to-relationships

The Family Test sets out that the Government does not anticipate that cohabitation reform will deter couples from marrying or otherwise negatively affect overall patterns of family formation.

The Family Test also notes that studies indicate that introducing legal protections for cohabitants does not reduce marriage rates, even where reforms grant rights equivalent to those of married couples. The Government therefore does not anticipate that these proposals will affect the proportion of couples who get married or reduce incentives to marry, particularly given that the Government is proposing to create distinct and narrower rights for cohabitants than those that are available on divorce.

The Government has not made a separate assessment of the potential impact of the proposals on marriage rates among younger adults. However, for the reasons set out in the Family Test, the Government does not anticipate that the proposals will have a negative impact on marriage rates, including among younger adults.

Marriage is one of our most important institutions and the bedrock of many families. That is why a key principle underlying the Government’s proposals within the consultation is to preserve the distinct status of marriage. The Government is committed to supporting marriage and we have announced that we will be reforming weddings law in order to encourage more people to get married.

The Government recognises that marriage has distinct benefits, including higher life satisfaction, together with greater emotional and financial stability. However, the fact that marriage brings benefits does not mean that cohabitants (and their children) should be financially vulnerable if the relationship breaks down. Reform will mean that the children of cohabitants are better protected, by giving proportionate financial support to primary caregivers in order to help to ensure their financial needs are met.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

9836

Session

2026-27

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Cohabitation Marriage Married people

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk