IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday, 08 February 2003

UK’s First Ever Community Marriage Policy

Civil and religious leaders in Bath are set to make history on Monday February 10th when they will sign Britain’s first ever “Community Marriage Policy” during National Marriage Week – February 9th to 16th.  

Civil Registrars and around 25 church leaders will sign the policy document as a statement of intent to turn the appalling tide of family breakdown in their communities. Bath is the first, but other cities, are set to follow shortly.

Bath Superintendent Registrar Judy Stone said, “As we come into contact with couples wishing to marry we are well placed to offer them strategies to help them avoid unnecessary breakdown.” Bath rural Dean Reverend David Perryman agreed. “It’s fantastic that we can work together with the civil authorities in promoting and resourcing marriage. Provision of marriage preparation to a wide population, not just those in church, can only be a good thing.”

Community Marriage Policies are the brainchild of Chris Grimshaw, Chairman of the newly formed National Association of Community Family Trusts said, “Britain has become the divorce and family breakdown capital of Europe. We can continue destroying our communities by taking family breakdown for granted or we can do something positive to support couples and prevent things getting worse”.   Although this is the first in the UK, over 160 cities in the USA have now signed similar policies. Divorce rates have subsequently fallen in those cities that publish divorce statistics, often within a year of signing. Some cities have now reduced divorce rates by as much as 50%.

A “Community Marriage Policy” makes four main points:

(1)     Marriage is not just a lifestyle choice. Marriage must be valued publicly because families do better in married homes, according to a huge array of research findings

(2)     Marriage can be learned. Effective marriage and relationship education will be promoted and made widely available.

(3)     Marriage needs support. Experienced ordinary married couples will be trained as mentors to those couples starting out.                                    

(4)     Community leaders agree to cooperate to promote this policy and share resources.

Richard Kane, founder and Director of National Marriage Week argues that family breakdown is guaranteed to get worse in the UK unless something is done urgently. “We have two marriage problems. Firstly, far too many marriages are failing. Secondly, fewer people are choosing to get married. Like it or not, unmarried parents are five times more likely than married parents to split up. Either way, we simply have to rebuild the popular experience of marriage.”  Kane also argues that the £5,000,000 p/a spent by the Government on Marriage & Relationship Support is pitifully inadequate.

Jane Burgess is co-ordinating the development of the Bath Community Family Trust. “Giving basic relationship skills to married couples, through people who themselves have had some experience of marriage, can be highly effective in helping couples build strong relationships,” said Jane Burgess, married 18 years. “It is fantastic that the Registrars want to be involved. Two thirds of couples get married through the civil Registrars and this will be one of the first cities to offer this kind of relationship training.”

Civil and Religious leaders see the Community Marriage Policy as a statement of practical intent. Says Judy Stone: “This initiative could be the first step into turning the Register Office into a life events centre. Helping people not only record the key events but also deal positively with them.” David Perryman stresses that actions must now follow the words. “If people swing in behind it, this document will make a difference.”

Ex Falklands veteran Helicopter pilot, Harry Benson, whose marriage support project in Bristol receives a slice of Government cash, speaking at the Marriage Week conference in London on February 6th said “The State spends £15 billion dealing with the fall-out of broken marriages – yet for every £3,000 spent on family breakdown only £1 is spent trying to keep families together” 

Professor Richard Whitfield, also speaking at the event said, “ Despite strident references to family issues within his 1997 and 1998 speeches to New Labour's Party Conferences, the Prime Minister and the Government’s policies still do not provide even a level playing field for couples who marry, and there is little or no fiscal encouragement for two-parent families, a family structure that research shows conclusively should be actively supported”; that, Professor Whitfield suggests, can be done without unhelpfully stigmatising other forms of family. 

In a personal letter to National Marriage Week, Iain Duncan Smith said, “For me as a politician, there are three reasons why public policy should support the institution of marriage.  First, marriage is still a very popular aspiration.  Second, marriage underpins a fair and just society that is serious about caring and nurturing children.  And, third, marriage is an essential institution for building strong and safe communities”.  

Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and Rev Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance speaking at the event highlighted the unique role of marriage in building strong communities.

 Ends

 Notes:

Hundreds of events will occur this week throughout the UK in churches, community centres and other religious places.

New quotes from Archbishop Rowan Williams, Sacks, Singh, Murphy-O’Connor and Edwards at www.nmw.org.uk scroll down to media enquiries.

NMW at 01202 883887 OR MOBILE 07702 426500

Harry Benson. www.bcft.co.uk 0117 924 1480

 For further information about Community Marriage Policies.

-          Chris Grimshaw at National Association of Community Family Trusts, 01803 732278 chris@timeforfamilies.org.uk

-          Judy Stone at Bath Registry Office, 01225 312032 judy_stone@bathnes.gov.uk

-          Jane Burgess, 01225 464710 cj.burgess@lineone.net

For more information on relevant marriage research, see www.bcft.co.uk