Labour push for unmarried couples rights

Unmarried couples who split up are set to win divorce-style rights over each other's cash and property under Labour plans for a third term.

The drive for new legal protection for the four million Britons living outside marriage will begin in July when the Law Commission starts a review of current law.

The move could risk accusations that Labour is undermining marriage, but its supporters say it is aimed at addressing the reality of modern life and the need to provide a safety-net. Under one model, a couple would need to have lived together for two years or have had a child together to entitle them to the new rights.

Government figures predict that the proportion of married couples will fall below 50 per cent of the population within six years. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, has asked the Law Commission to come up with fresh legislation by 2007.

From later this year gay partners will be able to register civil partnerships, winning pension and property rights currently afforded only to married people.

Statistics show the increasing number of couples who decide not to marry are largely unaware of their lack of rights. An unmarried partner has no right to claim financial support after a break-up. They also have no automatic right to a share of property in the other's name.

Stuart Bridge, the law commissioner heading the project, said the idea was not to give cohabiting couples the same rights as married partners but to improve their protection.