Same-sex partnerships

London mayor Ken Livingstone has announced a register of same-sex partnerships to be in operation in London from September.

He said: "Lesbians and gay men contribute to society in exactly the same way as the rest of the population. They work as teachers, doctors, police officers, nurses, firefighters. Yet they are still treated differently from the rest of the population."

Although the register will not confer any legal rights, it can be used as evidence in any dispute or civil action that might arise over tenancy, pension or immigration rights.