The UK Government’s plans to introduce no fault divorce with a mere six month waiting period for England and Wales has been described as ‘euthanasia for marriage’ by a leading marriage and family campaigner.

The Christian Institute’s Director Colin Hart said that under Government plans an innocent spouse will “not be able to cite adultery or domestic violence in a divorce petition”. Moreover, he said couples struggling through a difficult time in their marriage need time and opportunity to reconcile, whereas this legislation seems to block off that possibility.

“The Government’s main argument is that fault-based divorces lead to acrimony. If that is so, why is the Government also abolishing separation grounds which never involve any allegation of fault?”

He continued: “Four out of ten divorces are on the basis of separation and take well over two years. Under the Government’s plan it will be six months. A massive speeding up of divorce. It’s also disturbing that the Government has been trialling an online scheme which claims to process divorces in twelve weeks.”

“This Bill is a euthanasia programme for marriage,” he said.