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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tory proposals to boost marriage | Tory proposals to boost marriage |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Pre-nuptial agreements would be legally binding and cohabiting couples refused the same rights as those who wed, under plans from a Conservative think thank. | |
| The measures, aimed at strengthening marriage, would also improve access to children for fathers and grandparents. | |
| The changes have been drawn up by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who is the party's social policy guru. | The changes have been drawn up by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who is the party's social policy guru. |
| Although not obliged to adopt the plans, Tory leader David Cameron has spoken out in support of marriage. | Although not obliged to adopt the plans, Tory leader David Cameron has spoken out in support of marriage. |
| Mr Duncan Smith said his proposals were "timely" following the death of Baby P and other scandals that highlighted the "chaotic nature" of family life in some areas. | Mr Duncan Smith said his proposals were "timely" following the death of Baby P and other scandals that highlighted the "chaotic nature" of family life in some areas. |
| "This review is working from an underlying assumption that marriage should be supported both in government and in the law," he said. | "This review is working from an underlying assumption that marriage should be supported both in government and in the law," he said. |
| "Policy can and should be focused on stemming the tide of relationship breakdown. Marriage acts as a stabiliser and a signal. | "Policy can and should be focused on stemming the tide of relationship breakdown. Marriage acts as a stabiliser and a signal. |
| "Married couples are far less likely to break up than couples who live together without getting married." | "Married couples are far less likely to break up than couples who live together without getting married." |
| He added a quarter of children live in single-parent families and they were three times more likely to experience abuse. | He added a quarter of children live in single-parent families and they were three times more likely to experience abuse. |
| Think tank | Think tank |
| Mr Duncan Smith chairs the Tories' Social Justice Policy Group. | Mr Duncan Smith chairs the Tories' Social Justice Policy Group. |
| He is also founder of the think tank Centre for Social Justice, which produced the interim report. | He is also founder of the think tank Centre for Social Justice, which produced the interim report. |
| It advocates using the law and other official mechanisms to discourage "informal" relationships, and links rising levels of family breakdown to the increase in cohabitation. | It advocates using the law and other official mechanisms to discourage "informal" relationships, and links rising levels of family breakdown to the increase in cohabitation. |
| The document backs the establishment of "family relationship centres", modelled on those found in Australia, which can help separating or divorcing couples. | The document backs the establishment of "family relationship centres", modelled on those found in Australia, which can help separating or divorcing couples. |
| It is opposed to greater rights for cohabiting couples, which it argues are "not compatible" with encouraging marriage. | It is opposed to greater rights for cohabiting couples, which it argues are "not compatible" with encouraging marriage. |
| Since 1997 Labour has maintained that families of all kinds are equally good and getting married is merely a lifestyle choice. | Since 1997 Labour has maintained that families of all kinds are equally good and getting married is merely a lifestyle choice. |
| As Chancellor, Gordon Brown abolished Married Couples' Allowance in 1999. | As Chancellor, Gordon Brown abolished Married Couples' Allowance in 1999. |