MPs back plans to end child marriage

MPS have brought the nation the closest we've ever got to ending child marriage after backing plans to end the practice in England and Wales, a charity has said.

Children as young as seven are at risk of child marriage and it is cause for “huge celebration” that MPs supported a private members bill yesterday, said Natasha Rattu, executive director of Karma Nirvana.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill, which was given an unopposed second reading, would raise the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18 in England and Wales.

It would make it an offence, punishable with up to seven years' imprisonment, to carry out “any conduct for the purpose of causing a child to enter into a marriage”.

It would also make it easier to prosecute parents or family members who send under-18s abroad to be wed.

Karma Nirvana, which supports victims of honor-based abuse, said it has responded to four cases of child marriage in the last week, calling yesterday's debate a watershed moment for change and better protection”