Theresa May has said for the first time ever gay and straight people will have "the same choices in life" as they will be allowed to enter into civil partnerships instead of getting married.
The Prime Minister revealed to the Standard that new laws will end an anomaly where same-sex couples can choose two ways of tying the knot - either getting married or through a civil partnership - but opposite-sex couples are limited to marriage.
News of the new laws was welcomed by equality campaigners as both routes will now be open to all couples in the future.
As well as making the law equal, the change will open up a new option for millions of couples who dislike the idea of traditional marriage but want full legal recognition of their relationship, which is vital to provide security for them and their children.
But what is the difference between a civil partnership and a marriage in the UK? Here's everything you need to know.
What is a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is a legal contract which gives the couple concerned rights and responsibilities in respect of each other and, in the eyes of the law, places them on a virtually identical footing to those who are married.
One of the most significant benefits is that those in civil partnerships have the same inheritance rights as a married couple, allowing one partner to pass on their property to the other, rather than facing a big tax bill.
Couples who dislike the idea of traditional marriage but want full legal recognition of their relationship will soon have the option of a civil partnership.
How will the change benefit heterosexual couples?
At the moment, only same sex couples can form a civil partnership.
Their right to do so was introduced to give them legal equality at a time when gay marriage was not permitted.
Heterosexual couples were not included in the legislation then on the grounds that they were already able to gain these legal rights through marriage.
Why opt for a civil partnership over marriage?
Most heterosexual couples who want to form a legal union will probably continue to take this route either through a church wedding or, if they prefer to avoid a religious ceremony, through a civil marriage instead.
But despite these options some say dislike the institution of marriage and would prefer to unite legally in a different manner, which a civil partnership will permit.
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Some cohabiting couples might also want to form a civil partnership, to secure their legal rights, before moving on to the potentially more costly and time consuming step of planning a conventional wedding.
Will cohabiting couples be affected by the change?
Cohabiting couples will not be affected by the change to civil partnership law and will continue to lack inheritance and other rights in respect of each other.
