More good news on the secularisation of Britain:
Of the marriages that did take place in 2005, the proportion that were religious ceremonies continued to decline.
For the first time, fewer marriages (84,400) were held in churches and other religious institutions than in “approved premises” such as stately homes and hotels, which are now allowed to conduct civil ceremonies (88,710).
The remainder of the 244,710 overall total took place in a register office.
And there are some interesting figures on the overall fall in marriages, after two years of apparent increases – this fall came after laws designed to tighten up “sham” marriages for immigration reasons were enacted.
Really, you’d have to think we are getting to the time when the whole legal framework of relationships is reconsidered – people need a range of choices available that provide appropriate legal protections, particularly for women and children.
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