Unmarried couples could save money this year thanks to a new law - here's who can claim it

Millions of unmarried couples could benefit from a £250 tax break this year thanks to a change in the law, the Government has announced.

All couples in England and Wales will now be able to apply for a Civil Partnership by the end of 2019, giving them greater financial security.

A legal agreement

Couples who live together will now be able to get a civil partnership after the Supreme Court ruled that a ban on it was in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The move, which was first announced last year under plans to equalise the law, is an extension of the Civil Partnerships Act 2004, which gave people in same-sex relationships legal recognition.

However, it excluded heterosexual couples who live together from equal rights on savings, tax and pension benefits, compared to those who are married.

Under the new rules, cohabiting couples who opt not to marry will be given the option to tie the knot in a simple, paper agreement instead.

The law is an extension of the Civil Partnerships Act 2004, which gave people in same-sex relationships legal recognition (Photo: Shutterstock)