Marriage News

A High Court judge has criticised the Government for focusing on gay marriage plans rather than the "crisis of family breakdown".

Here is a breakdown of the number of families by type:

• Of the UK's 18.2 million families, 12.2 million are married couples.
• Number of cohabiting couples has nearly doubled from 1.5 million in 1996 to 2.9 million in 2012.
• 7.6 million people live alone.
• Number of married people stayed constant at 21.2 million over a decade.

• Number of single adults rose by more than 3 million to 15.7 million.
• There were nearly 2 million lone parents with dependent children in the UK in 2012.
• 45% of 15- year-olds have experienced parental separation.

• Cohabiting couples are more than twice as likely as married couples to split by the time a child is 7.

Source: Marriage Foundation, Census

• UK
• Marriage

• Sir Paul launched independent charity Marriage Foundation last year to support married couples, but said the charity did not take a stance on gay marriage
• He says marriage breakdowns and their impact on society affects 99.9 per cent of the population, which is where more investment should be spent

• It comes after the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales attacked the government's gay marriage bill, labelling it "undemocratic" and a "shambles".

• UK
• Marriage

Speaking to The Times (£) High Court judge Sir Paul Coleridge said:

So much energy and time has been put into this debate for 0.1% of the population, when we have a crisis of family breakdown. While it is gratifying that marriage in any context is centre stage...but it (gay marriage) is a minority issue. We need a more focused position by the Government on the importance of marriage.

• UK
• Marriage

A High Court judge has criticised the Government for focusing on gay marriage plans rather than the "crisis of family breakdown". Sir Paul Coleridge said too much time and energy had been put into the debate.

• UK
• Marriage

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has responded to reports on the Church of England's comments on same-sex marriage. Ms Cooper said:

Two people who love each other and want to make a long term commitment to each other should be able to get married whatever their gender or sexuality.

Parliament has legislated on civil marriage for 400 years. It should update it again now, as it has many times before, to make sure that the way the state recognises long term loving relationships remains relevant and reflects our sense of justice and equality in a modern society.

David Cameron was right to support same sex marriage. I hope he will not wobble in the face of the first opposition.

• UK
• Religion
• Church of England

The director for the Coalition for Marriage has handed a petition to Downing Street against plans to change laws to allow gay marriage.

Colin Hart told press outside No 10 that "the government should listen to the people" and to keep existing marriage legislation.

• UK
• Religion
• Church of England

The Home Secretary has said the Government will not be "pressuring" religious organisations into performing same-sex marriages. Theresa May said that 'commitment' from gay marriages would "help stability in society".

• UK
• Religion
• Church of England

The Bishop of Leicester has told ITV News that the Government should "not hurry" consultations into laws surrounding same-sex marriage.

Bishop Tim Stevens said that the move could have "unintended consequences" into the relationship between the government and the Church of England.

• UK
• Religion
• Church of England