Humanist Weddings

Debate between Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe and Baroness Levitt

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.