Gay couples are to get the same rights as their married counterparts under plans to be unveiled by the government next year.

In an interview with the Independent, Barbara Roche says there is a "clear and strong" case for giving same sex partners new rights on issues such as pensions, inheritance and property entitlement.

The social exclusion minister says a consultation paper due next summer will propose giving gay and lesbian couples next-of-kin status.

Calling for a system of civil partnerships, Roche told the newspaper: "There are many thousands of gay couples who have been together for years, who look after each other, support each other, live their lives in exactly the same way as any other family."

"Yet the law, the state, does not recognise them as a partnership, as a family, while they are together or when one of them dies."

Roche says gay and lesbians are too often the victim of out-dated legislation which re-enforces homophobia.

"A partnership registration scheme would bring benefits to individuals who registered. I believe it would also bring benefits to the whole community. It would send a powerful message about the acceptability of same-sex relationships and about the unacceptability of the homophobia still far too prevalent in our society," said the minister.

"This is not about being 'PC' but about bringing law and practice into line with the reality of people's lives. The practicalities of introducing partnership registration for gay couples, with rights and responsibilities attached, are complex. But the case for doing it is clear and, I believe, strong."

Speaking this morning, the shadow home secretary, Oliver Letwin, said he would support moves to deal with many of the "grievances" gays and lesbians have about the current laws.

Critics, however, will say the move amounts to "gay marriage" and the proposals are likely to spark a protest in the House of Lords.

Following the consultation, ministers will bring forward legislation early in the next session.