Following the Commons debate on the Same-Sex Marriage Bill, the government today announced its intention to press ahead with consultation on mixed-sex civil partnership legislation. This was part of the original Civil Partnerships Bill ten years ago, but was removed from the draft of the bill by the government at that time before it became law in 2004.
In the consultation on the Same-Sex Marriage Bill, several bisexual community organisations including BCN magazine, BiUK, Bisexual Index, Brighton Bothways and Manchester BiPhoria pressed for Civil Partnerships to be extended to mixed-sex couples, however this was not included in the current marriage reform bill.
The forthcoming review has been announced on the Department for Culture, Media & Sport website here with a consultation period later this year and the prospect of legislation in 2014.
The consultation will:
- Examine evidence about how well the current arrangements for civil partnerships are working, drawing on views from the public and organisations with an interest and international comparisons
- Assess the need and demand for civil partnerships when marriage is available to all, and whether any changes to civil partnership arrangements are necessary
- Identify all the implications of and issues raised by the identified options (including risks and devolution issues)
- Assess the costs and benefits of the options
- Make recommendations for any changes to the operation and future of the Civil Partnerships Act.
