To ask the Minister of Finance for an update on when reforms to marriage law in Northern Ireland will be implemented following the 2022 consultation.

I am currently considering policy on this important issue with a view to securing inclusion of a Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill in the Executive’s legislative programme. This will aim to put belief marriage on an equal legislative footing with civil and religious marriage and increase the minimum age for marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18, both of which were strongly supported during consultation.