Controversial measures that would have given unmarried couples the same rights as married couples have now been rejected.
The proposals from the Law Commission, which were first published in 2009, would have given inheritance rights to unmarried couples who had been living together for at least two years, and would have led to couples who had cohabited for 5 years or more being treated in the same way as married couples.
Inheritance rights would also have been automatically given to couples who had a child together, regardless of how long they had been living together, when one of the partners died without a will.
The Commission argued in the report that “While some may find this idea controversial, research indicates that it would match public expectations and attitudes.”
However, ministers threw out the proposals last night to the approval of those who saw the recommendations of the Law Commission as undermining marriage.
Kathy Gyngell, of the Centre for Policy Studies, commented: “These proposals were completely wrong in principle and always impractical.”
Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, stated:
“It is only right that these proposals have been rejected in order to preserve the uniqueness of marriage.
“Marriage is consistently shown to be the most stable family arrangement for both couples and children and it therefore benefits society as a whole.
“It follows that the Government should be protecting and promoting marriage.”
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