The House of Commons’ Justice Select Committee has pressed the UK Government to legally recognise humanist marriages without further delay. Committee Chair Andy Slaughter MP has written to Marriage Minister Lord Ponsonby to highlight that ‘humanist couples across England and Wales have been waiting for over a decade to marry legally in accordance with their beliefs’, and request that the Government sets out its position on reform of humanist marriages.
The letter echoed frustration recently also expressed by peers in the House of Lords, and said:
‘As you know, humanist couples across England and Wales have been waiting for over a decade to marry legally in accordance with their beliefs. Despite being recognised in Scotland and Northern Ireland, legal recognition in England and Wales has been under constant review since 2013, most recently by the Law Commission in 2022.
‘The Marriage Act 2013 recognised “marriages according to the usages of belief-based organisations”, allowing the Government to recognise humanist marriages through secondary legislation. Despite this, successive governments have failed to implement secondary legislation, a move that the High Court has ruled gives rise to discrimination.
‘The Government recently stated that more time is needed to consider their position, citing inconsistencies within the current marriage law. This further delay is particularly disappointing, especially as you, yourself, while in opposition, highlighted the broad cross-party support for this change. As you rightly pointed out, this issue is supported by devolved governments in Scotland and Wales. As you noted, this issue is ultimately a political decision, raising the question of why it has yet to be resolved.’
Since 2013 the matter has been reviewed three times. The previous Government did not respond to the Law Commission before the General Election was called, and the current Government is yet to set out a position, despite supporting the matter for over ten years while in opposition.
Humanists UK Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer Antonia Mäurer commented:
‘We thank Andy Slaughter and the Justice Committee for throwing their weight behind legal recognition of humanist marriages. For over ten years, successive governments have stalled on this issue despite overwhelming public and political support, and this remains a clear and continuing injustice. It is time for the Government to act and ensure that humanist couples can marry in line with their beliefs.’
The Justice Committee has requested a response from the Ministry of Justice by 7 February 2025.
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on legal recognition of humanist marriages.
Humanist weddings are non-religious wedding ceremonies that are fully customised to match the deepest-held values and beliefs of the couple getting married. They are conducted by a humanist celebrant, someone guaranteed to share their beliefs. In consultation with the couple the celebrant produces a completely bespoke script. The ceremony also occurs in whatever location is most meaningful for the couple. Humanists UK has more than 300 trained and accredited wedding celebrants.
Humanist marriages gained legal recognition in Scotland in 2005 and in 2019 there were more humanist than Christian marriages for the first time (23% of the total). In the Republic of Ireland, humanist marriages gained legal recognition in 2012. In 2019 around 9% of legally recognised marriages were humanist. That places the Humanist Association of Ireland only behind the Catholic Church and civil marriages. They gained legal recognition in Northern Ireland in 2018, following a Court of Appeal ruling that concluded that a failure to do so would be a breach of human rights. Jersey also gave legal recognition to humanist marriages in 2019 and in 2021 Guernsey followed suit.
In 2020, six humanist couples took a legal case to the High Court. They argued that they were discriminated against by the fact that religious marriages are legally recognised but humanist marriages are not. The judge in the case agreed, ruling that ‘the present law gives rise to… discrimination’. She also ruled that, in light of that, the Secretary of State for Justice ‘cannot… simply sit on his hands’ and do nothing.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.