LOCAL MP for Somerton and Frome, David Warburton, has welcomed the news that the legal age of marriage has been raised from 16 to 18 which he says is part of the government’s continued commitment to protect our children from harm, and tackle violence against women and girls.
This follows The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022, that came into force on Monday 27th February. It means that 16- and 17-year-olds will no longer be allowed to marry or enter a civil partnership, even if parental consent is granted.
David Warburton says he is confident that the change delivers better protection for vulnerable children and will positively contribute to cracking down on forced marriages which can cause lifelong damage on a child.
He said, “This is an enormous step in the right direction to protecting our children from the absolutely devastating and long-lasting impacts of forced marriages.
“The rise in the legal age of marriage from 16 to 18 is proof in the pudding that this government continues to work hard to tackle violence against women and girls.
“As I am sure many of my constituents in Somerton and Frome will agree, 16- and 17-year-olds primary focus must be their education, and not settling down into a marriage. These years are incredibly important to their development and future success, I applaud the government’s ongoing hard work to set the priorities right.”
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022, delivers a new criminal offence to cause a child to marry, with up to seven years in prison – including forced marriages in non-legally binding ceremonies.