New Research Looks At Family Types Across UK In 2013

The number of people choosing to cohabit without marrying in the UK is on the increase, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

According to the body’s Families and Households 2013 report, the number of opposite sex cohabiting couple families has increased from 2.2 million in 2003 to reach 2.9m this year. It also revealed the number of dependent children in such families rose by 500,000 over the same period.

In addition, the study found there were 18.2m families in the UK with 12.3m of them consisting of a married couple with or without children.

The release of the figures has come as the issue of legal rights for cohabiting couples continues to be a talking point in political circles.

Recent research by family law group Resolution revealed 69 per cent of MPs feel there is a mistaken belief in the concept of common law marriage, with 57 per cent adding that more should be done to ensure unmarried couples have better legal protection.

Expert Opinion

It is unsurprising to see yet another study highlight that the number of people choosing to live together without marrying is on the increase in the UK. Such trends simply demonstrate how times have changed and in the 21st century many people do not feel the need to enter into either a civil partnership or marriage. <br/> <br/>"However, the issue with this is that legislation in this area has not moved with the times and this means such couples have very few rights in the event of relationship breakdown. A recent poll of MPs appears to demonstrate there is appetite in Westminster to change this. <br/> <br/>"At present though, no action is forthcoming. This means the only way for couples to protect themselves and their assets in the event of a split is to prepare a cohabitation agreement with advice from legal specialists from the outset. <br/> <br/>"In a similar vein to a pre-nuptial agreement, it would allow both parties to ensure they can state clearly how their assets should be divided in the event that their relationship does sadly come to an end."