The Odysseus Trust worked with RESOLUTION, an association of 5500 family lawyers, on the LIVING TOGETHER campaign. Lord Lester introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Lords in the autumn which aimed to end the injustice and financial hardship faced by long-term cohabiting couples when they separate. The Bill had its Second Reading debate on 13 March 2009 and its Committee stage debate on 30 April 2009. The bill did not complete committee stage owing to a lack of parliamentary time.

For more information about the Living Together campaign please click HERE. If you would like to view the consultation (now closed) please click HERE.

This is not the first time Lord Lester has campaigned on this issue. In 2002 he introduced a Private member's Bill (Civil Partnership Bill 2002) which sought to provide similar protection for unmarried heterosexual couples as well as same-sex couples.