Public sector equality duty

Marriage and civil partnership

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against a person on the basis of their marital or civil partnership status. 

In England and Wales marriage is no longer restricted to a union between a man and a woman, but now includes a marriage between a same-sex couple (see Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013). Same-sex couples can also have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must not be treated less favourably than married couples and must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of legal matters (only to be considered in respect to the need to eliminate discrimination).

Marriage is defined as a union between a two people, whether a man and a woman, two men or two women. Same sex couples can also choose to have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of legal matters including protection under the Equality Act.

Southwark Council is committed to promoting equality irrespective of marital or civil partnership status and valuing the contribution made by all citizens.

Marriage and civil partnership in Southwark

The following data from the 2011 Census show the breakdown by marital and civil partnership status among those aged 16+ in Southwark, London and England.

 Census 2011

Southwark

London

England

All usual residents aged 16+

234,901

6,549173

42,989620

Single (never married or never registered a same-sex civil partnership)

128,471

2,888,944

14,889,928

54.7%

44.1%

34.6%

Married

66997

2,608,345

20,029,369

28.5%

39.8%

46.6%

In a registered same-sex civil partnership

2,159

27,425

100,288

0.9%

0.4%

0.2%

Separated (but still legally married or still legally in a same-sex civil partnership)

10,080

211,500

1,141,196

4.3%

3.2%

2.7%

Divorced or formerly in a same-sex civil partnership which is now legally dissolved

18,344

484,106

3,857,137

7.8%

7.4%

9.0%

Widowed or surviving partner from a same-sex civil partnership

8,850

328,853

2,971,702

3.8%

5.0%

6.9%

Some key findings include:

  • Southwark has a much lower proportion of residents who are married compared with the averages for London and England
  • Southwark also has a higher proportion of residents in civil partnerships compared with the London and England averages - compared with county and unitary authorities nationally, Southwark has the third highest proportion of residents in civil partnerships (behind City of London and Brighton and Hove)

Further information and support

  • for full information on how to register a marriage or civil partnership
  • Acas is an organisation dedicated to preventing and resolving employment disputes, including claims of discrimination on the grounds of marriage and civil partnership
  • Stonewall is an organisation campaigning for equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people including advice on cases where discrimination is suspected on the grounds of same sex marriage or civil partnership

Page last updated: 02 August 2022

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