Forcing someone to marry against their will could become a criminal offence under plans set out by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Mr Cameron announced he was making it a criminal offence to breach an order issued by the courts to prevent a forced marriage and he has asked Home Secretary Theresa May to consult on whether the practice should be made an offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The cross-party Commons Home Affairs Committee called earlier this year for forced marriage to be criminalised, but its recommendation was rejected by the Home Office in July for fear that it would discourage victims from coming forward.
The Prime Minister announced he was asking Mrs May to rethink the decision in a speech in central London in which he outlined measures to get immigration under control, including "stricter and clearer" tests on those claiming the right to settle in the UK to be with their spouses.
"Forced marriage is little more than slavery," said Mr Cameron. "To force someone into marriage is completely wrong. And I strongly believe this is a problem we should not shy away from addressing. But I know that there is a worry that criminalisation could make it less likely that those at risk will come forward.
"So, as a first step, I am announcing today that we will criminalise the breach of Forced Marriage Prevention Orders. It's ridiculous that an Order made to stop a forced marriage isn't enforced with the full rigour of the criminal law.
"And I am also asking the Home Secretary to consult on making forcing someone to marry an offence in its own right, working closely with those who provide support to women forced into marriage to make sure that such a step would not prevent or hinder them from reporting what has happened to them."
Mr Cameron said that in future individuals applying to come to the UK for family reasons will have to show that they can speak English and have the financial resources to support themselves, as well as genuine family links in Britain.
Family migration made up almost one-fifth of non-EU immigration last year, with 50,000 visas issued. But a survey suggested that more than 70% of UK-based family sponsors had an income of less than £20,000 after tax, creating "an obvious risk" that they may become dependent on welfare.
Mr Cameron said the Migration Advisory Committee will look at the case for increasing the minimum level for financial support. Ministers will consider whether to discount all promises of support from family and friends and require a financial bond from migrants in some cases.
Forcing someone to marry against their will could become a criminal offence under plans set out by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Mr Cameron announced he was making it a criminal offence to breach an order issued by the courts to prevent a forced marriage and he has asked Home Secretary Theresa May to consult on whether the practice should be made an offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The cross-party Commons Home Affairs Committee called earlier this year for forced marriage to be criminalised, but its recommendation was rejected by the Home Office in July for fear that it would discourage victims from coming forward.
The Prime Minister announced he was asking Mrs May to rethink the decision in a speech in central London in which he outlined measures to get immigration under control, including "stricter and clearer" tests on those claiming the right to settle in the UK to be with their spouses.
"Forced marriage is little more than slavery," said Mr Cameron. "To force someone into marriage is completely wrong. And I strongly believe this is a problem we should not shy away from addressing. But I know that there is a worry that criminalisation could make it less likely that those at risk will come forward.
"So, as a first step, I am announcing today that we will criminalise the breach of Forced Marriage Prevention Orders. It's ridiculous that an Order made to stop a forced marriage isn't enforced with the full rigour of the criminal law.
"And I am also asking the Home Secretary to consult on making forcing someone to marry an offence in its own right, working closely with those who provide support to women forced into marriage to make sure that such a step would not prevent or hinder them from reporting what has happened to them."
Mr Cameron said that in future individuals applying to come to the UK for family reasons will have to show that they can speak English and have the financial resources to support themselves, as well as genuine family links in Britain.
Family migration made up almost one-fifth of non-EU immigration last year, with 50,000 visas issued. But a survey suggested that more than 70% of UK-based family sponsors had an income of less than £20,000 after tax, creating "an obvious risk" that they may become dependent on welfare.
Mr Cameron said the Migration Advisory Committee will look at the case for increasing the minimum level for financial support. Ministers will consider whether to discount all promises of support from family and friends and require a financial bond from migrants in some cases.