I WAS pleased to read that all couples in England and Wales will now be able to choose a civil partnership rather than get married.

It seemed unfair that the option was only open to same-sex couples when it could provide a good alternative to marriage for mixed-sex couples too – especially when the cohabiting couples have children who will need support and financial stability.

Civil partnerships provide legal and financial protection for both parties in the event of the relationship ending but are free from religious connotations.

Mixed-sex couples have long-argued for the law to be changed as many feel marriage is not for them.

They have a range of reasons for wanting a civil partnership rather than marriage.

Some had already been married before and others disagree with the patriarchal nature of marriage and the notion of women as property.

In 2005 the Civil Partnership Act came into force, which gave same-sex couples legal recognition for their relationships.

But heterosexual couples still can only choose marriage to make their relationship ‘official’ on paperwork.

This plan to allow civil partnerships for all will give couples more security for themselves and their families.

The Government had been set to respond to a Supreme Court ruling that found it “discriminatory” to restrict civil partnerships to solely gay couples.

In June, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan won a legal bid at the Supreme Court to have a civil partnership instead of marriage.

They wanted legal recognition of their union without “parochial baggage”.

About 3.3 million unmarried couples in England and Wales live together with joint financial responsibilities, with almost 50 per cent of them having children, according to the Government.

Personally, I think it should not take as long as it has for something so outdated to be corrected – but then gay marriage was only legalised five years ago. At least it is a sign of some progress.

This will also be helpful for the couples and their families in terms of savings, tax, and pensions benefits.

According to the Government website, civil ceremonies can include readings, songs or music, but cannot include anything religious.