Civil partnership review for heterosexual couples

MSPs are to review the possibility of allowing heterosexual couples to enter civil partnerships. Picture: TSPL

• MSPs are set to look at permitting heterosexual couples to enter civil partnerships

• UK Government has taken the lead with its own review of civil partnerships

Civil partnerships were created to give gay couples the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples.

The status offers the same treatment as marriage of inheritance, pension provision, life assurance, child maintenance, next of kin and immigration rights.

The Government said it will shortly make an announcement on civil partnerships. This will reportedly be with a view to future legislation for male-female couples.

The news follows the announcement earlier this month of a review of civil partnerships south of the border.

A spokeswoman said: “The UK Government has announced that it will review civil partnerships in England and Wales. Following this, the Scottish Government is considering the best approach in Scotland and will make an announcement shortly.”

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill, which will legalise same-sex marriage, is due to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament before MSPs break up for summer at the end of the month.

Gay rights charity The Equality Network launched a campaign for same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnerships in 2008.

According to an Ipsos MORI poll it commissioned last June, almost three-quarters of people in Scotland (71 per cent) support mixed-sex civil partnerships, with around one in six (16 per cent) opposed.

The same poll found around two-thirds of people (64 per cent) support same-sex marriage, with around one in four (26 per cent) against.

Tom French, policy coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “We believe that the law should be equal with the same choices for everyone. We hope the Scottish Government will shortly set out a clear path to changing the law in this area.

“Whilst opponents say it would undermine marriage, the evidence from other countries including the Netherlands and France is that greater choice increases the overall number of people in stable, registered relationships.

“Both the Scottish and UK governments say they want to increase the number of people in stable relationships, and the evidence shows that opening up civil partnership to all couples would help them achieve this goal.”