VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Marriage: Reform

Asked by Cameron ThomasIndependentTreasuryTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 26451

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of allowing celebrant-led weddings to be legally recognised on the economy.

Answered by Treasury

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales’, alongside an impact assessment which considers the potential economic impacts of the proposed reforms, including allowing independent officiants to conduct legally binding weddings.

The impact assessment does not provide a separate estimate of the economic impact of this measure alone. However, it estimates that the wider reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings and sets out the associated costs and benefits. The link to the assessment can be found here: Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales - GOV.UK.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim