Overview

This bill aims to raise the minimum legal age for marriage and civil partnerships in England and Wales to 18. It also creates a new criminal offense for forcing someone under 18 into marriage or a civil partnership.

Description

The bill makes the following key changes:

• Raises the minimum age: The legal minimum age for marriage and civil partnerships will increase from 16 to 18 in England and Wales.
• Creates a new offense: It introduces a new criminal offense for anyone who forces or causes a person under 18 to enter into a marriage or civil partnership.
• Amends existing legislation: The bill amends the Marriage Act 1949 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to reflect the new minimum age, removing provisions allowing exceptions for those under 18.
• Timeframe: The changes regarding the age of consent will come into effect two months after the bill becomes law.
• Geographic Scope: The bill applies only to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any changes to government spending. The cost of enforcing the new offense and any support services for victims is likely to be an indirect financial implication, but no figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Young people (under 18): This bill directly protects them from being forced into marriage or civil partnerships.
• Parents and guardians: The bill removes the ability for parents or guardians to consent to the marriage or civil partnership of a minor. They could face criminal prosecution if they force a child into marriage or a civil partnership
• Those involved in forced marriages: The new criminal offense will impact those who arrange or coerce children into marriages.
• Law enforcement agencies: These agencies will be responsible for enforcing the new criminal offense.
• The Courts: The courts will need to manage cases under the new law.

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