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MP bids to end 'unfair' civil partnership inequality MP bids to end 'unfair' civil partnership inequality
(about 1 hour later)
A Tory MP has launched a bid to allow heterosexual couples in England and Wales to form civil partnerships in the same way as gay couples.A Tory MP has launched a bid to allow heterosexual couples in England and Wales to form civil partnerships in the same way as gay couples.
Tim Loughton said it was "not fair" that opposite sex couples have "the single option of marriage".Tim Loughton said it was "not fair" that opposite sex couples have "the single option of marriage".
He also called for mothers' names to be included on marriage certificates and for all still births to be formally registered.He also called for mothers' names to be included on marriage certificates and for all still births to be formally registered.
The government is backing Mr Loughton's Private Members Bill.The government is backing Mr Loughton's Private Members Bill.
But it forced him to water his proposals down - so that the bill promises a review of civil partnership law rather than a straightforward commitment to allow straight couples to form civil partnerships. Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it was time both parents' names were included on marriage certificates.
"The current legislation which only allows for fathers' names is completely outdated and does not reflect modern Britain," she said.
The Home Office says it has been considering options for updating the marriage entry and working with stakeholders, including the Church of England and Church in Wales, to develop plans for this possible reform.
But Mr Loughton has been forced to water down his proposals on civil partnerships - to promise a review of the current laws rather than a straightforward commitment to allow straight couples to form civil partnerships.
This could result in equality being achieved by scrapping civil partnerships for everyone.This could result in equality being achieved by scrapping civil partnerships for everyone.
But Mr Loughton is confident ministers will be persuaded to back his position after they have carried out their review.But Mr Loughton is confident ministers will be persuaded to back his position after they have carried out their review.
He said his Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc.) Bill would "correct an unintended, but glaring inequality".He said his Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc.) Bill would "correct an unintended, but glaring inequality".
Civil partnerships in England and Wales were introduced in 2004 as an initial step on the road to legalising gay marriage.Civil partnerships in England and Wales were introduced in 2004 as an initial step on the road to legalising gay marriage.
Demand then fell after gay marriage was legalised in England and Wales in March 2014, and in Scotland in December 2014.Demand then fell after gay marriage was legalised in England and Wales in March 2014, and in Scotland in December 2014.
But some straight couples who do not want a traditional marriage have argued there is now inequality in the law as they do not have the choice of a civil partnership.But some straight couples who do not want a traditional marriage have argued there is now inequality in the law as they do not have the choice of a civil partnership.
What is entailed in a civil partnership?What is entailed in a civil partnership?
Mr Loughton argued that offering opposite sex couples the chance to form a civil partnership could improve family stability and give partners legal protection if either one of them dies.Mr Loughton argued that offering opposite sex couples the chance to form a civil partnership could improve family stability and give partners legal protection if either one of them dies.
He said there are 3.2 million cohabiting opposite sex couples in England and Wales, but many shun traditional marriage because they view it as having establishment, religious and patriarchal connotations, as well as being "rather expensive".He said there are 3.2 million cohabiting opposite sex couples in England and Wales, but many shun traditional marriage because they view it as having establishment, religious and patriarchal connotations, as well as being "rather expensive".
Many family law solicitors have written to the MP in support of his campaign "because they see the fall out" when partnerships breakdown.Many family law solicitors have written to the MP in support of his campaign "because they see the fall out" when partnerships breakdown.
"We need to find new ways for the state to recognise committed relationships and give children stability," he said, adding that all that would be required to rectify the situation would be a one line amendment to the 2004 bill."We need to find new ways for the state to recognise committed relationships and give children stability," he said, adding that all that would be required to rectify the situation would be a one line amendment to the 2004 bill.
Labour supportLabour support
There were just over a thousand civil partnerships formed in the UK in 2015, according to House of Commons library research.There were just over a thousand civil partnerships formed in the UK in 2015, according to House of Commons library research.
By contrast, between 29 March 2014 and 30 June 2015, there were 7,366 marriages formed between same sex couples in England and Wales.By contrast, between 29 March 2014 and 30 June 2015, there were 7,366 marriages formed between same sex couples in England and Wales.
But Mr Loughton said the "conversion rate" of gay people in civil partnerships opting to get married was thought to be about 14%.But Mr Loughton said the "conversion rate" of gay people in civil partnerships opting to get married was thought to be about 14%.
Conservative MP Edward Leigh asked if co-habiting sisters could also be covered by the proposed legislation - but Mr Loughton rejected the call, saying it would make the measure "even more complicated".Conservative MP Edward Leigh asked if co-habiting sisters could also be covered by the proposed legislation - but Mr Loughton rejected the call, saying it would make the measure "even more complicated".
Labour shadow minister Karen Lee said her party fully supported Mr Loughton's bill, but argued that scrapping civil partnerships would be a "step backwards" for those that do not want to marry.Labour shadow minister Karen Lee said her party fully supported Mr Loughton's bill, but argued that scrapping civil partnerships would be a "step backwards" for those that do not want to marry.
The UK government has previously said it did not intend to consult further on the future of civil partnerships or to change the law after two reviews, but Mr Loughton's bill is set to herald a fresh look at the issue.The UK government has previously said it did not intend to consult further on the future of civil partnerships or to change the law after two reviews, but Mr Loughton's bill is set to herald a fresh look at the issue.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We are proud that we introduced marriage for same-sex couples and that they are finally able to celebrate their relationship in the way other couples have done for centuries.A Home Office spokesman said: "We are proud that we introduced marriage for same-sex couples and that they are finally able to celebrate their relationship in the way other couples have done for centuries.
"It is right that we evaluate the demand for civil partnerships before we make changes to the law."It is right that we evaluate the demand for civil partnerships before we make changes to the law.
"We continue to keep this under review and are assessing the demand for civil partnerships amongst both same-sex and opposite sex couples.""We continue to keep this under review and are assessing the demand for civil partnerships amongst both same-sex and opposite sex couples."
The issue made the headlines when a heterosexual couple who want to enter a civil partnership instead of getting married were granted the right to take their case to the Supreme Court, which is due to make a ruling on it mid-May.The issue made the headlines when a heterosexual couple who want to enter a civil partnership instead of getting married were granted the right to take their case to the Supreme Court, which is due to make a ruling on it mid-May.
Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, from west London, argue the government's position is "incompatible with equality law" and there is still "everything to fight for".Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, from west London, argue the government's position is "incompatible with equality law" and there is still "everything to fight for".