This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/21/uk-civil-partnerships-decline-as-they-hit-their-tenth-birthday
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK civil partnerships on the decline 10 years after first ceremony | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of people entering into civil partnerships in the UK has fallen dramatically since the introduction of equal marriage in March 2014. | The number of people entering into civil partnerships in the UK has fallen dramatically since the introduction of equal marriage in March 2014. |
| The first civil partnership took place in Northern Ireland ten years ago on 19 December 2005, while the first ceremonies took place in Scotland on the following day and in England and Wales on 21 December. Between then and the end of 2006, over 18,000 couples entered into civil partnerships across the UK. | The first civil partnership took place in Northern Ireland ten years ago on 19 December 2005, while the first ceremonies took place in Scotland on the following day and in England and Wales on 21 December. Between then and the end of 2006, over 18,000 couples entered into civil partnerships across the UK. |
| In England and Wales almost 15,000 civil partnerships were celebrated in 2006 alone, the first full-year period in which the legislation was in place. Following this initial surge, there was an annual average of 6,300 civil partnerships over the next seven years. | In England and Wales almost 15,000 civil partnerships were celebrated in 2006 alone, the first full-year period in which the legislation was in place. Following this initial surge, there was an annual average of 6,300 civil partnerships over the next seven years. |
| However, the popularity of civil partnerships has declined since the introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act, under which the first same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales on 29 March 2014. | However, the popularity of civil partnerships has declined since the introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act, under which the first same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales on 29 March 2014. |
| The effect was immediate – the number of civil partnership unions formed in England and Wales that month was down 40% compared with the same month in the previous year. In December 2014 just 58 civil partnerships were registered, an 82% drop compared to a year earlier. | The effect was immediate – the number of civil partnership unions formed in England and Wales that month was down 40% compared with the same month in the previous year. In December 2014 just 58 civil partnerships were registered, an 82% drop compared to a year earlier. |
| In 2014 a total of 1,683 civil partnerships were registered in England and Wales, the lowest level recorded. Conversely, 4,853 same-sex marriages took place, almost three times the number of civil partnerships. | In 2014 a total of 1,683 civil partnerships were registered in England and Wales, the lowest level recorded. Conversely, 4,853 same-sex marriages took place, almost three times the number of civil partnerships. |
| Couples who had previously entered into a civil partnership had the option of converting their union into a marriage from 10 December 2014 onwards. Between then and the end of June 2015, a total of 7,732 couples chose to switch their existing partnership to marriage. | Couples who had previously entered into a civil partnership had the option of converting their union into a marriage from 10 December 2014 onwards. Between then and the end of June 2015, a total of 7,732 couples chose to switch their existing partnership to marriage. |
| Just over 4,500 civil partnerships were dissolved in England and Wales between 2007 and the end of 2014. | Just over 4,500 civil partnerships were dissolved in England and Wales between 2007 and the end of 2014. |
| Related: ‘Ten years ago our civil partnership made history: I like to think we moved things on for same-sex couples’ | Related: ‘Ten years ago our civil partnership made history: I like to think we moved things on for same-sex couples’ |
| In Scotland over 1,000 civil partnerships were celebrated in 2006, the first full year after they were introduced. An annual average of almost 550 marriages took place in the seven years thereafter, falling to 436 last year. | In Scotland over 1,000 civil partnerships were celebrated in 2006, the first full year after they were introduced. An annual average of almost 550 marriages took place in the seven years thereafter, falling to 436 last year. |
| Unlike in England and Wales, there were more civil partnerships in Scotland in 2014 than same-sex marriages. However, this is a reflection of timing rather than a low uptake. The first same-sex marriage didn’t come into effect in Scotland until mid-December 2014 – and because there is a 15-day notice period couples who had not previously entered into civil partnerships could not marry until 31 December. | Unlike in England and Wales, there were more civil partnerships in Scotland in 2014 than same-sex marriages. However, this is a reflection of timing rather than a low uptake. The first same-sex marriage didn’t come into effect in Scotland until mid-December 2014 – and because there is a 15-day notice period couples who had not previously entered into civil partnerships could not marry until 31 December. |
| Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that still does not recognise same-sex marriage in law. Around 100 civil partnerships have been carried out in Northern Ireland in each full year since the legislation was introduced there a decade ago. | Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that still does not recognise same-sex marriage in law. Around 100 civil partnerships have been carried out in Northern Ireland in each full year since the legislation was introduced there a decade ago. |
| The Northern Irish assembly recently voted in favour of marriage equality, but the Democratic Unionists vetoed the move using “petition of concern”, a mechanism that allows parties from either the unionist or nationalist community to block legislative change if they feel there is not enough backing from Protestants or Catholics. | The Northern Irish assembly recently voted in favour of marriage equality, but the Democratic Unionists vetoed the move using “petition of concern”, a mechanism that allows parties from either the unionist or nationalist community to block legislative change if they feel there is not enough backing from Protestants or Catholics. |