Divorce rates at lowest level for 50 years 'due to cost of living crisis'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukDivorce rates in England and Wales have hit a 50-year low, according to the latest figures. The Office for National Statistics revealed that there were 80,057 divorces granted in 2022, the lowest number since 1971.
This is a drop of more than a quarter (29.5%) compared to 2021, when 113,505 divorces were granted. Legal experts believe the cost-of-living crisis could be a reason, as couples might be delaying divorce due to the financial strain of legal separation.
In April 2022, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act was introduced, changing the rules and process for divorce. The changes were intended to reduce the potential for conflict between divorcing couples and help them avoid the “blame game”, allowing them to end their marriage jointly and remove the ability to make allegations about the conduct of a spouse. Try MEN Premium now for FREE...
just click here to give it a go Legal professionals described the drop as 'surpising'. Sarah Jane Boon, a partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, said: "It was widely thought amongst family law professionals that we'd see a significant jump in divorce enquiries and applications." She also suggested that "financial challenges related to the start of the cost-of-living crisis is also a likely contributor to the fall in divorce rates, as many couples may have considered the economic benefits of staying together".
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