Latest news with #civilpartnership
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Is the traditional family unit making a comeback? Proportion of births in wedlock hits highest level for a DECADE at 52.4%
The proportion of children born within wedlock has hit a 10-year high, according to official figures. Some 52.36 per cent of babies had parents who were married or in a civil partnership in England and Wales last year. That was up nearly two percentage points on 2023, and a level not seen since 2014 when it was 52.5 per cent. In 1980 nearly nine in 10 babies were born to married couples, but the following decades saw a dramatic move towards cohabitation. There was also a bump in the number of children born last year, from 591,072 to 594,677. That was the first increase since 2021, although births remain at historically low levels, with 2024 ranking as the third lowest total since 1977. The reasons for the changes are not clear. Immigration has been running near record levels, with foreign-born women tending to have a higher birth rates. Figures from the 2021 census have also suggested that UK residents born outside the EU - the source of most immigration in recent years - are significantly more likely to be married than those born in the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data published earlier this week revealed that foreign-born women accounted for 33.9 per cent of live births in England and Wales in 2024. That was up from 31.8 per cent the previous year and the highest on record. In 2009 the level was below a quarter. Two-fifths of babies last year had at least one parent who was born in another country. However, the proportion varied widely between 68 per cent in London, 44.4 per cent in Greater Manchester, 41.2 per cent in the West Midlands and just 22.6 per cent in the North East.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposed changes to divorce law could end blame game
A consultation on the divorce process has been launched by the Executive that could see changes to the way people legally separate in Northern Ireland. The current law requires couples to either go through a lengthy separation before a divorce is granted, or proceedings can begin straight away if one person is at fault either through desertion, adultery, or unreasonable behaviour. Joan Davis, CEO of counselling service Relate NI, said the current law is "outdated and not in keeping with modern society and how relationships come and go - it's just the reality of life". The biggest issue, she said, is the length of time that a couple must be separated before being able to begin the process. Currently, a couple is unable to apply for a divorce, or in the case of a civil partnership - a dissolution, within the first two years of marriage. Once that time period has been reached, a divorce petition must be based on at least one of five reasons: two years' separation with the consent of the other spouse to divorce five years' separation unreasonable behaviour adultery desertion The same grounds apply for the dissolution of a civil partnership, with the exception of adultery. The most recent figures for Northern Ireland show that the majority of people who filed for divorce in 2023 list separation as the reason. "Why would a legal system and a society want to persecute people more when a relationship is broken down by keeping them tied together and increasing that level of anxiety, adding to an already huge mental health crisis?," Ms Davis told BBC News NI. "Divorce numbers aren't going to change, and if they do change the legislation there's not going to be a rush of people running to the courts for divorce." Ms Davis said blaming one person for the end of the marriage can have a negative impact on the wider family unit. "Is that a good thing for a parent to be doing, you know? So the children then know how bad that other parent is? "If mum or dad has spent so much time explaining how bad they are, and it's all their fault, it's really not good for family life." Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the options being put forward "could reduce the conflict that can arise from divorce or dissolution". "Many marriages and civil partnerships are loving, happy and last a lifetime, but unfortunately some don't and break down for a number of reasons," he said. "This can have a devastating effect on those families, especially where children are involved, and can lead to additional and unnecessary conflict." Clare Curran, Director at Curran Bowles family law, said Northern Ireland's divorce laws are "very antiquated", adding that they should "fall in line with the English system". She said the two systems used to be similar, but after many Stormont collapses Northern Ireland has fallen behind in terms of "modernising the application for divorce process". "It doesn't work. It's slow and arduous, so everybody just gets into this blame game, which is really contentious and actually expensive." Ms Curran said it's about "striking the right balance, making sure that it's not too easy". "You don't want to dilute the meaning of marriage and the importance of the consequence of marriage by making it super easy to be able to dissolve a marriage. "Since the reform in England, it's only been a positive thing. It makes the process easier, more accessible, quicker and cheaper. "So, what's not to like about that?" The alternative options included in the consultation are largely based around how divorce works in the Republic of Ireland, England and Wales. The first is for the current law to remain the same with no change. Second, is the introduction of an administrative, no-fault divorce, similar to what is offered in England Wales. This means that one person can apply for a divorce and does not need to prove a reason why beyond the breakdown of the relationship. Supporters say it allows for a quicker, less contentious divorce with the process typically taking around 6 months. The third option is also a no-fault divorce, but closer to what is in place in the Republic of Ireland. Like option two, this means that no specific reason has to be provided to instigate proceedings, and no-one has to take blame for the end of the marriage. However, it's a lengthier process, as the couple does have to show they have lived apart for at least two out of the three previous years and that there is no possibility of reconciliation. The consultation will run until 26 September. End of blame game in divorce laws
BBC News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Divorce: Consultation offers chance to put an end to blame game
A consultation on the divorce process has been launched by the Executive that could see changes to the way people legally separate in Northern current law requires couples to either go through a lengthy separation before a divorce is granted, or proceedings can begin straight away if one person is at fault either through desertion, adultery, or unreasonable Davis, CEO of counselling service Relate NI, said the current law is "outdated and not in keeping with modern society and how relationships come and go - it's just the reality of life".The biggest issue, she said, is the length of time that a couple must be separated before being able to begin the process. Currently, a couple is unable to apply for a divorce, or in the case of a civil partnership - a dissolution, within the first two years of that time period has been reached, a divorce petition must be based on at least one of five reasons:two years' separation with the consent of the other spouse to divorcefive years' separationunreasonable behaviouradulterydesertionThe same grounds apply for the dissolution of a civil partnership, with the exception of most recent figures for Northern Ireland show that the majority of people who filed for divorce in 2023 list separation as the reason. "Why would a legal system and a society want to persecute people more when a relationship is broken down by keeping them tied together and increasing that level of anxiety, adding to an already huge mental health crisis?," Ms Davis told BBC News NI."Divorce numbers aren't going to change, and if they do change the legislation there's not going to be a rush of people running to the courts for divorce."Ms Davis said blaming one person for the end of the marriage can have a negative impact on the wider family unit."Is that a good thing for a parent to be doing, you know? So the children then know how bad that other parent is?"If mum or dad has spent so much time explaining how bad they are, and it's all their fault, it's really not good for family life." 'Devastating effect on families' Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the options being put forward "could reduce the conflict that can arise from divorce or dissolution"."Many marriages and civil partnerships are loving, happy and last a lifetime, but unfortunately some don't and break down for a number of reasons," he said."This can have a devastating effect on those families, especially where children are involved, and can lead to additional and unnecessary conflict." Clare Curran, Director at Curran Bowles family law, said Northern Ireland's divorce laws are "very antiquated", adding that they should "fall in line with the English system".She said the two systems used to be similar, but after many Stormont collapses Northern Ireland has fallen behind in terms of "modernising the application for divorce process"."It doesn't work. It's slow and arduous, so everybody just gets into this blame game, which is really contentious and actually expensive."Ms Curran said it's about "striking the right balance, making sure that it's not too easy"."You don't want to dilute the meaning of marriage and the importance of the consequence of marriage by making it super easy to be able to dissolve a marriage."Since the reform in England, it's only been a positive thing. It makes the process easier, more accessible, quicker and cheaper."So, what's not to like about that?" What changes are being proposed? The alternative options included in the consultation are largely based around how divorce works in the Republic of Ireland, England and first is for the current law to remain the same with no is the introduction of an administrative, no-fault divorce, similar to what is offered in England means that one person can apply for a divorce and does not need to prove a reason why beyond the breakdown of the say it allows for a quicker, less contentious divorce with the process typically taking around 6 third option is also a no-fault divorce, but closer to what is in place in the Republic of option two, this means that no specific reason has to be provided to instigate proceedings, and no-one has to take blame for the end of the it's a lengthier process, as the couple does have to show they have lived apart for at least two out of the three previous years and that there is no possibility of consultation will run until 26 September.
Reuters
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Tens of thousands march in Romania demanding LGBTQ equality
BUCHAREST, June 7 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Romanians joined an LGBTQ Pride march in Bucharest on Saturday, demanding civil union partnership legislation and equal rights after a highly-contested presidential election last month buoyed the far right. The European Union state has so far ignored a 2023 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which found Romania had failed to enforce the rights of same-sex couples by refusing to recognise their relationships. Socially conservative Romania decriminalised homosexuality in 2001, decades later than other parts of the EU, but still bars marriage and civil partnerships for same-sex couples. "We want legal protection for same-sex couples, an easy legal procedure for transitioning, protection against hate speech and prejudice-based crimes," said Teodora Roseti, president of Romanian LGBTQ rights organisation ACCEPT and Pride's organiser. In Bucharest, marchers danced and carried the rainbow flag 20 years after the first Pride parade was held, carrying banners such as "Love is the worst feeling you could hate", "Equality in love, equality in inheritance. Civil partnership for all". Roughly 30,000 people attended the parade, ACCEPT estimated. The march comes at a fraught moment in Central and Eastern Europe, where far right parties have gained ground. Poles held a similar parade on Saturday. Hours before the Romanian march, a smaller anti-Pride protest took place, with participants demanding an Orthodox Christian nation and waving flags carrying the Celtic cross, a known far-right symbol. In Romania, centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan ultimately won the presidential election against hard-right opposition leader George Simion, a strong opponent of LGBTQ rights. ACCEPT and LGBTQ rights group Mozaiq warned of a rise in hate speech against the community during the election campaign, and their headquarters were defaced. In neighbouring Hungary, parliament passed legislation earlier this year that de facto bans holding Pride marches.
Reuters
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Poles march for LGBTQ+ equality after presidential vote raises fears
GDANSK, Poland, June 7 (Reuters) - Thousands of Poles took part in a Pride march in the northern port city of Gdansk on Saturday, showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community amid fears for its future after nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki won a presidential election. Participants waved rainbow flags and the blue, pink, and white banners representing the transgender community. Many carried placards bearing messages such as "Love is love" and "12 years together - when civil partnership?". A parallel Pride event was also held in the western city of Wroclaw. Nawrocki, supported by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, has raised alarm among LGBTQ+ advocates. During its time in power from 2015 to 2023, PiS made opposition to what it termed "LGBTQ+ ideology" a central part of its platform, framing it as a threat to traditional values in the predominantly Catholic country. "I was devastated to be honest," 23-year-old student Agata said when asked about Nawrocki's victory. "I am scared. I don't know what our future looks like." Although LGBTQ+ issues were less prominent in Nawrocki's campaign than in that of his PiS-backed predecessor Andrzej Duda in 2020, his platform included commitments to resist "ideology in schools" and to oppose adoption by same-sex couples. He has stated that marriage should remain between a man and a woman and, while rejecting civil partnerships, expressed a willingness to discuss legal recognition for a "close person", regardless of sexual orientation. In contrast, a pro-European coalition that came to power in 2023 introduced a draft bill to legalise civil partnerships. However, with the presidency holding veto power, the bill's future remains uncertain. Agata said that she hoped a law on civil partnerships could come into effect, but that it was unlikely during Nawrocki's presidency. "I want more equality in our society, in our country," she said.
