The UK government has announced plans to introduce reforms to protect the rights of millions of unmarried couples, in a bid to address the changing nature of modern relationships and tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG).
According to the government, the reforms will help to ensure that all couples, regardless of their marital status, have equal access to benefits, housing, and inheritance rights.
The changes are expected to benefit an estimated 3.3 million unmarried couples in the UK, with a particular focus on protecting the rights of women who may be vulnerable to abuse or exploitation.
The reforms are part of a broader effort by the government to tackle VAWG, which has been a key priority in recent years.
Women's rights groups and experts in family law have long campaigned for stronger rights for unmarried couples, and have welcomed the government's announcement as a major step forward.
However, opposition parties have expressed concerns that the reforms do not go far enough, and that more needs to be done to address the complex issues surrounding modern relationships.