LONDON, June 27 (UPI) -- Britian plans to give more legal rights to the growing number of unmarried couples living together, the Times of London reported Monday.
The new rights, expected in the next two weeks, would include laws to end the injustices suffered when such relationships break up.
It's estimated the number of people living together without marrying in the U.K. has reached 2 million couples and that is expected to increase to 3.8 million by 2031.
Earlier attempts to reform the laws have been limited to property rights. The new laws likely will face criticism, especially from Church of England traditionalists, who argue greater rights for such couples will undermine marriage, the Times said.
But the Rev Simon Stanley, who proposed the motion, said it is not just unmarried heterosexual couples that need protection. Others such as sisters or caregivers also need legal rights.
A Conservative spokesman said his group accepts that the law needs to be reviewed but would oppose giving co-habitants the same rights as married couples.
