This Library Note provides background reading for the debate on the role of marriage and marriage support in British society eleven years after the report on 'Funding for Marriage Support' by Sir Graham Hart.
Debate on 10 February: The Role of Marriage and Marriage Support in British Society (272KB PDF)
This Library Note summarises the report ‘Funding of Marriage Support’ and subsequent developments in marriage and relationship support. It also provides statistics on marriages and an overview of current debate surrounding the role of government in supporting marriage.
Debate on 10 February: The Role of Marriage and Marriage Support in British Society (272KB PDF)
The Cohabitation Rights Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames (Liberal Democrat). The bill would provide certain protections for cohabiting couples, for example in the event one of them dies. Its second reading is scheduled for 17 July 2026.
![Cohabitation Rights Bill [HL]: HL Bill 14 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Family-and-civil-law-568x426.png)
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about justice.
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about health.
