Question reference: S6W-00899
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 18 June 2021
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Current status: Answered by Ash Denham on 8 July 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the law to raise the minimum legal marriage age to 18.
Answer
The Scottish Government is aware that issues are being raised on the minimum age to enter a marriage or civil partnership and that a Private Member’s Bill has been lodged at Westminster to increase the minimum age in England and Wales: Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
The Scottish Government will obtain more information on this issue and discuss the minimum age with key stakeholders. Before any steps were taken to raise the minimum age for entering a marriage or civil partnership in Scotland, there would need to be a full public consultation. If the member has any points she would like to discuss on the minimum age, I would be happy to meet her.