Last year we passed the law and it kicks in today. From now on you’ll have to be an adult to get married. This will help end forced marriages for good.
It also makes illegal forced marriage in non-legally binding ceremonies that have proved a problem in some communities. Previous Governments had put this in the “too difficult” category but I’m glad that the Government has backed these important measures brought forward by Conservative MPs.
Commenting, Richard Holden MP said:
"It was great to catch up with Payzee, Natasha and so many others from organisations, including Karma Nirvana who worked with me to get so-called virginity testing and hymenoplasty banned across the UK last year too, who have also been campaigning for this change.
"I can only hope the rest of the world, but particularly Scotland and Northern Ireland first, follow our lead too."