Reform proposals for "gay marriages" have the backing of the majority of the British public, ministers have claimed.

Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, deputy minister for women Jacqui Smith claimed that 83 per cent of respondents to a government consultation on the issue were supportive of a change to grant homosexual people the same rights as married couples.

Of the organisations that responded, 74 per cent were in favour of a change, a figure which dropped to 53 per cent among religious groups.

"This clearly demonstrates that it is time for the law to change to reflect the reality of people's lives," said Smith.

"The right to be treated equally and fairly is fundamental. It is the foundation upon which everything else depends and allows individuals to pursue the other aspects of their lives.

"I intend to bring forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows."

Under the proposals, gay couples in England and Wales will be able to officially register their partnership in front of a registrar and two witnesses.

The move would allow gay people to benefit from their dead partner's pension, to be exempt from inheritance tax on a partner's home and to grant next of kin rights in cases where hospital treatment is needed.

However, there would be no official ceremony and the offer will not be available to unmarried heterosexual couples.