The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee has highlighted the risks faced by cohabitants on relationship breakdown or the death of a partner, in a report last week, 'The rights of cohabiting partners'
It explains how the lack of legal protection on family breakdowns means women, including women from an ethnic minority background and those who have had a religious-only wedding, can be disadvantaged, and calls on the government to legislate for an opt-out cohabitation scheme. Chair, Caroline Nokes MP said: ‘Deciding not to marry is a valid choice, and not one which should be penalised in law.’
