The Scottish Government has set out its Programme for Government for 2012-13.
Central to this Programme are the overarching objectives of:
- accelerating economic recovery and creating more jobs;
- supporting and reforming Scotland's public services;
- creating a fairer Scotland; and
- achieving constitutional reform and independence for Scotland.
With regard to promoting equality and fairness, Ministers intend to introduce the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, which will allow same sex couples to marry.
It will also allow civil partnerships to be registered through a religious ceremony. In addition, the Bill will make other amendments to marriage law, to simplify procedures generally.
The Government's intention is to ensure that no religious bodies and celebrants have to take part in same sex ceremonies, unless they wish to do so.
According to the Scottish Government, the Bill will help to tackle inequalities and help to ensure Scotland has a fair and inclusive identity.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.
