MPs demand timetable for cohabitation reform

A cross-party group of MPs has applied gentle pressure on the government to confirm the timetable for cohabitation reform following a 2024 manifesto pledge to strengthen the rights and protections of women in cohabiting relationships.

Labour's Andy Slaughter, chair of the House of Commons justice select committee, requested a timeframe in a letter to Lord Ponsonby, the minister in charge of family justice, marriage and divorce.

Slaughter said campaigners welcomed the Labour party’s manifesto commitment but were disappointed at the absence of any reform in the King’s speech. 'The lack of rights for cohabiting couples means millions of people - often women and the most vulnerable in our society - are at serious financial risk,' Slaughter said.

'Campaigners have been repeatedly told to wait. Most recently, in response to the women and equalities committee's report, the previous government indicated that reform could not be explored until existing work on the law of marriage and divorce has been concluded. However, these issues are distinct and should not serve as a barrier to progress for cohabitation reform.

‘As the women and equalities committee report into the rights of cohabiting partners highlighted, the Law Commission’s proposals for wedding law reform do not engage with cohabitation, instead focusing on resolving issues around formalised relationships and the validity of marriage ceremonies. Likewise, reform to financial remedies upon divorce has no bearing on the issue of cohabitation reform.

‘The 2007 Law Commission report made clear that cohabitants should not be given the same rights as married couples in the event of their separation, instead recommending a new separate scheme of financial remedies. Thus, reviewing one area does not prevent progress from being made in another.’

Lord Ponsonby was reminded that he attended a parliamentary roundtable last year on reforming the law for cohabiting couples, which Slaughter chaired.

‘As you would have heard, the current law places cohabitants, especially vulnerable women, in precarious and often unfair positions, leaving many without financial security or limited legal recourse. It is now vital that the government brings about reforms to the law that are fit for modern society and modern families,’ Slaughter said.

The government is asked to respond by 7 February.