Civil partnerships get the go-ahead

The TUC and unions have welcomed the enactment of the government's Civil Partnership Bill, under which same-sex couples who register their partnership will gain equivalent rights and responsibilities to those of married couples.

Among other provisions, the legislation - which will come into force some time in 2005 - will mean full pensions equality for registered civil partners.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of the UNISON public services union, described the bill as "a welcome leap forward for the rights of lesbian and gay couples". Now that pensions rights have been established, he said, "our challenge is to make sure the pensions themselves are defended against government plans to cut benefits".