The Decline of Marriage: Why We Need to Prioritise Family Life (Ed Davies)

Radical with Gabriel Gatehouse · Mar 5, 2026 · 1h 6m

Marriage rates in the UK have fallen to historic lows, but what are the consequences?

Ed Davies, research director at right‑leaning anti‑poverty think tank the Centre for Social Justice, explains what has led to this shift and argues that it has caused a decline in family stability with profound consequences for society.

To deal with it he says we need to modernise marriage and adopt a range of policies that promote family life.

TIMECODES

(00:04:29) The decline of marriage in the UK

(00:06:33) Why is the marriage decline happening?

(00:19:10) Delayed adulthood and rise in autonomy

(00:21:52)…