"Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that UK civil partnerships among same-sex couples fell by 46 per cent in 2007 to 8,728. This compares with 16,106 marriage in 2006, the first full year in which civil partnerships could be formed. In England and Wales, civil partnerships fell by 47 per cent in 2007 to 7,929. The figure in Scotland fell by 34 per cent in the same period to 688, and by 4 per cent in Northern Ireland, to 111." [Telegraph]

Politicians in Ireland inched the nation one step closer to civil partnerships today. The government hopes to iron out the last kinks by next week, when it will be put toward a vote. The Bill expands health, pension and inheritance rights to long term couples who can't or don't get married. While certainly it's a step in the right direction, a number of rights remain withheld, like adoption. [Irish Times]

16,100 couples took advantage of England's civil partnership laws back in 2006. The numbers have been dropping ever since: "The number of gay weddings has plummeted by more than 50 per cent in the past year… A survey by the Local Government Association found that all the 40 councils across England they surveyed had experienced a fall in the number taking place - the figures show an average drop of 55 per cent in 2007 from 2006." The Guardian report also notes that 65% of 2006's marriages were civil partnerships.