Humanist Weddings

Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe Excerpts

Monday 16th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Levitt (Lab)]

One of the things the Government are consulting on is how to ensure that all marriages, no matter by whom they are conducted, are dignified, solemn and worthy of the name. In that, they are reflecting the fact that the Government believe that marriage is more than just a ceremony between two individuals; it says something about the way society sees itself, about relations between society and families, and about the way families are formed. That is one of the reasons why we are consulting.

[Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Lab)]

Are there are any protections for those who may be at risk of forced or predatory marriage?

[Baroness Levitt (Lab)]

Tackling forced marriage is part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. In 2024, the forced marriage unit worked with the General Register Office to introduce bespoke workshops for registrars to help them to recognise these things. When it is suspected that a person is not entering a marriage of their own free will or lacks mental capacity, the proceedings will be stopped until the registrar is satisfied that the individual has the capacity to make an informed decision. It is also a criminal offence to cause a person who lacks mental capacity to enter into a marriage.

Victims and Courts Bill

Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe Excerpts

2nd reading
Tuesday 16th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Lab)]

My Lords, I was at St Thomas’ at 8 am and will return to Guy’s at 8 am tomorrow re my lack of balance, but I was determined to speak on this important Bill. I have informed the clerks that I will do so sitting down.

I welcome the Bill warmly and applaud the work of my noble friend the Minister and her team. I consider this House to be so lucky to have somebody of such relevant experience leading this work. The Bill marks a really important step forward in rebuilding our much-shaken justice system—a system to serve victims, who in recent years have so often been failed. Imagine if the victim was your daughter, cousin, granddaughter or niece.

As my noble friend clearly said, the justice system must serve victims rather than subjecting them to further trauma on top of what they have already suffered. The Bill strengthens victims’ rights, forcing offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. Where was the justice for Louise, Hannah and Carol Hunt when Clifford was a no-show at sentencing? Those who refuse to comply will be liable to an additional custodial penalty of up to 24 months and restriction of social visits and removal of privileges—in my view, quite rightly so.

I also welcome the protection of children of sex offenders, and that NDAs should not prevent victims disclosing relevant information. Because of this important Bill, cowardly offenders who try to avoid facing the consequences of their actions for victims and insult victims’ families will no longer be able to get away with it. I ask my noble friend the Minister: given that one of the sanctions for non-attendance at sentencing is an additional prison sentence, will that have an impact on prison capacity? I welcome the Bill and look forward to further discussion with all noble Lords.