New rights for same-sex couples

Pensions equality is on the horizon for lesbian and gay workers now that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 has become law.

Same-sex couples who register their partnership will gain equivalent rights to those of married couples, and all major public sector pension schemes will give full pension rights to registered lesbians and gays - so same-sex couples will have the right to a survivor's pension. However, full equality on state pension benefits will not come into force until 2010.

The first same-sex civil registrations are expected by the end of this year.

Dave Prentis, UNISON public services union general secretary, described the legislation as "a milestone in ending discrimination against same-sex couples".

But there are still no similar rights for unmarried heterosexual couples, who must tie the knot to gain the same benefits as their married counterparts.

* A network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) campaigns was set up by the TUC and the international trade union movement at last month's world congress of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

The network aims to help trade unionists put pressure on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the UN Commission on Human Rights to adopt policies on lesbian and gay equality.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the network was "a major step forward" for unions and LGBT campaigners, adding: "It will allow us to secure better rights at work, and will make it easier to include unions in community campaigns for equality generally."