MSPS' PLAN TO BAN MARRIAGE UNDER 18

Charities back move over domestic abuse fears

- BY CHRIS MCCALL

PLANS to raise the age at which Scots can get married from 16 to 18 are moving forward with the launch of a public consultation.

The SNP government is also considering whether current forced marriage offence should be updated to criminalise conduct intended to cause a person under 18 to marry or enter a civil partnership.

Charities including Barnardo's have long argued that allowing people to marry when under 18 contributes to sexual violence and domestic abuse.