civil partnership act

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The Civil Partnership Act

Brighton & Hove City Council welcomes the introduction of civil partnerships and the opportunity for same-sex couples to register their relationships. To show our support, we pioneered a "Pink Wedding Waiting List" from July last year and are proud to have been at the forefront of encouraging residents to become civil partners.

The Civil Partnership Act brings more than just the opportunity to register relationships. The British legislation is amongst the most comprehensive in the world in giving equality to same-sex relationships. Civil partners will be treated equivalently to married couples in almost every respect. Importantly, partners who live together - even if they don't register as civil partners - will be treated equivalently to opposite-sex couples who live together. In some cases, this new equality may change things like how much benefit you are entitled to.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have prepared answers to some frequently asked questions about:

• registering a civil partnership
• changes to benefits you might claim from the council (or government departments)
• student financial support
• other council services that might be affected: Housing, Council Tax, Domestic Violence Services
• other effects the Civil Partnership Act might have on you in areas such as wills, tax, parental responsibility, maintenance, compensation and pensions

Useful Links and Telephone Numbers

We have also collected some links to websites and some important phone numbers you may find useful:

• The Women and Equality Unit
• Stonewall
• Trades Union Congress
• Registering civil partnerships
• UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group
• The Immigration and Nationality Directorate
• Gender Recognition Panel
• Her Majesty's Court Service
• Department for Work and Pensions

For benefits you may need to contact the following:

• Benefits Service, Brighton & Hove City Council (01273) 292000
• Brighton Jobcentre Plus (01273) 647400
• Hove Jobcentre Plus (01273) 368100
• The Pension Service (08456) 060265
• HM Revenue and Customs (0800) 500222
• Housing Options (01273) 293157
• Brighton & Hove CAB (08451) 203710
• Brighton & Hove Student Support (01273) 296303

You can also call Brighton Lesbian & Gay Switchboard for information and to talk through issues on (01273) 204050, every day from 5 - 11pm