This morning the government publishes its consultation paper on civil partnership contracts for same sex couples. It's designed to give gay couples similar rights to those enjoyed by the married and would mean a gay partner would become next of kin in the case of illness and there would be the right to pass on pensions and property without the danger of incurring inheritance tax.
A husband and wife can pass property to each other free of tax on death - no unmarried couple can. But there are accusations in some quarters of discrimination against heterosexual couples who choose not to marry. Sociologist Patricia Morgan, Marilyn Stowe Chief Assessor of the Law Society and Jackie Smith, who is the deputy minister for women, all join Jenny to discuss.
