Same sex: same rights?

The government has provoked the wrath of traditionalists by unveiling plans to give gay and lesbian partners the same legal rights as married couples.

Homosexual partners are set to secure the same entitlements in areas such as life insurance, inheritance, property and pensions.

They will also achieve next of kin status and could make treatment decisions if their partner falls ill.

In a consultation paper ministers propose a system where same sex couples can sign a partnership register giving them the same legal rights as their married counterparts.

Under the scheme couples will have to sign an official document - although the government will stress the move does not amount to gay marriage.

Equality minister Jacqui Smith denied that the move was a further bid for political correctness.

"Thousands of people are in long-term, stable, same-sex relationships. These are ordinary couples, living their lives and planning their futures together," she said.

"They are committed to each other in all areas of their joint lives - but their relationships are invisible in the eyes of the law

"Same-sex couples often face a range of humiliating, distressing and unnecessary problems because of a lack of legal recognition.

"Civil Partnership registration would underline the inherent value of committed same-sex relationships.

"It would support stable families and show that we really value the diversity of the society we live in.

"It would open the way to respect, recognition and justice for those who have been denied it too long.

"This is not about being 'PC' but about bringing law and practice into line with the reality of people's lives."

Under the landmark proposals gay couples will be able to dissolve the agreement in a move similar to a divorce settlement.

They will also sign up to an obligation to maintain each other financially.

Critics say the move is a further attempt to devalue the concept of marriage.

The plans, which could be included in the Queen's Speech later this year, appear set to face stiff opposition in the House of Lords.

The gay rights lobby has long argued that denying homosexuals the right to next of kin status leaves many couples in limbo when one partner falls ill.

It also argues that it is unjust to levy inheritance tax on a property when it transfers to a gay person following the death of a lifelong partner.

Homosexual lobby group Stonewall welcomed the move and urged the government to act quickly.

"Hundreds of thousands of gay people are in stable, long-term relationships but still don't have the same rights as many others," said Stonewall's Ben Summerskill.

"It's not just social status that matters, like the right to visit each other in hospital, but the right to share a partner's pension, for example - which is something available to every heterosexual.''

"We hope that parliamentary time will be made in the next session for the Bill. Every day's delay is a very real human tragedy for individuals all around the country."

But critics say the government has failed to address the issue of unmarried heterosexual couples - who will still be denied the same right as married partners.

The Liberal Democrats welcomed the gay partnerships moved but questioned why it would not apply to straight couples.

"This step is long overdue. Liberal Democrats welcome the changes that will be made to inheritance and next of kin rights and pensions sharing for same sex couples," said Evan Harris.

"But it is typical that the government has only done the bare minimum. The decision to exclude opposite sex couples from claiming the rights conferred by civil partnerships will be a bitter disappointment to hundreds of thousands of heterosexual unmarried couples.

"Currently the government treat them as married when cutting their benefits, but ministers are clearly refusing to reciprocate when it comes to pension sharing. These couples are under pressure to marry for financial reasons.

"Civil partnership registration schemes established in London and Liverpool are for same sex and opposite sex couples.

"The government should follow suit and legislate to give all unmarried couples the same rights."