The commitment of Government ministers to gay marriage means it could become legal by 2015, according to reports.

The Government today announced a consultation on changing the law for gay couples, to begin next spring.

At present, people in same sex couples can only enter into civil partnerships.

Whilst a civil partnership gives their relationship similar legal protection to a marriage, the term ‘marriage’ is reserved for unions between a man and a woman.

The consultation was announced today by Equality Minister, Lynne Featherstone.

According to the Independent, the Liberal Democrat MP said the move was part of the Government’s commitment to equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

“I am delighted to confirm that early next year, this Government will begin a formal consultation on equal civil marriage for same-sex couples,” she said today.

“This would allow us to make any legislative changes before the end of this Parliament.”

The Prime Minister has reportedly personally intervened to speed up progress on legalising gay marriage.

Even if the plans go ahead, gay couples would still not be allowed to marry in churches. News of the consultation comes not long after the Government moved to allow civil partnership ceremonies in religious settings, promising that religious groups would not be forced to perform the ceremonies if they do not wish to.

Quakers were among the religious groups that supported the change to the law on civil partnerships on religious premises but many Christian groups opposed it out of concern that churches may be sued if they refuse to conduct the ceremonies.