Marriage age could rise to 18 in bid to prevent forced weddings abroad

Girls as young as 16 and 17 can marry legally with consent from their parents
Girls as young as 16 and 17 can marry legally with consent from their parents
BETHANY CLARKE FOR THE TIMES

The minimum age for marriage could rise to 18 after The Times revealed how teenagers were being trapped in abusive forced relationships.

An investigation found that young girls were being forced to marry abroad, raped and impregnated before being sent home to sponsor visas for their husbands. The Home Office received dozens of reports last year that victims or suspected victims wanted to block these visas but approved almost half of them.

The equalities minister, Baroness Williams of Trafford, was questioned in the Lords yesterday on what action was being taken to protect those at risk. Asked if the government would review the law allowing people age 16 and 17 to marry with parental consent, she said: “I will certainly bring that point back because