The Government announced on 2nd October 2018 that heterosexual couples in England and Wales will be able to choose to have a civil partnership rather than get married. It said there was “a number of legal issues to consider, across pension and family law” and ministers would now consult on the technical detail. The Equalities Minister, Penny Mordaunt, promised that the change in the law would happen “as swiftly as possible”.
This is something that NARPO anticipated would happen as a result of recent Court cases..Consequently, whilst we will await the outcome of the Government’s consideration of the legal issues, particularly in regard to the effect on Police Pensions, we will continue to put pressure on Government to make the changes required at the earliest opportunity.