The government has denied reports that it is planning to introduce rights to marriage for gay couples.

Reports in the Daily Mail indicated that Cabinet Office minister Barbara Roche had asked civil servants to draw up plans allowing gay and other cohabiting couples to register their civil partnerships in order to qualify for pension and property rights.

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman told ePolitix.com that the government has "no plans to introduce gay marriage".

But following the decision of Liberal Democrat peer Lord Lester to drop his civil partnerships bill, the government said it would continue its discussions with him as debate over the issue continued.

The Mail suggested that Lord Lester's decision to drop his bill was prompted by the government's decision to move on the issue, but government indicated that its lack of support for the peer's bill may have influenced the decision. "There have been no promises made but we are working with him," said the spokeswoman.

"Our position hasn't changed," she added. "The government is aware of the growing debate in civil society which we are continuing to monitor."

The government views proposed reform as "a complex set of issues". In addition to introducing pension and property entitlements, the moves would also include "next of kin" rights on medical treatment.