Law changes that would allow both same-sex parents to be named on a child’s birth certificate are set to be set in motion next year.

Health Minister David Ashford said that changes to implement equal rights for same-sex parents were ’crucial’ and would follow a consultation in the first part of the year.

’The development of policy to inform future legislation that will grant rights for same-sex parents is currently being formed between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Office,’ he said.

’A public consultation is being planned for early 2021 to inform and develop the policy before scoping the resultant legislation.’

Mr Ashford gave the commitment in response to a Tynwald question from equality champion Jane Poole-Wilson MLC (pictured above).

She said: ’Change to enable both parents to be recognised on a child’s birth certificate as having parental responsibility, under the Children and Young Persons Act 2001, is an important part of supporting equality in practice.’

The minister agreed.

’I would even go slightly further and say that it is not just important, it is absolutely crucial,’ he added.

’I am fully committed, certainly from the DHSC point of view, that we need to move this forward.’

But he warned implementing the full breadth of legislative changes would be complex.

’It may well be decided that the legislative approach is to do it in stages rather than trying to do it in one big bang, because in the past, it has not necessarily worked when we have tried to do that, and it has caused more of a muddle,’ he said.