Divorces up

The figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the highest divorce rate since records began in 2005. One in 10 marriages do not last more than five years and 45% of marriages end in divorce. The ONS said that if divorce and mortality rates remain unchanged from 2005, 10% of those marrying now will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, 45% of marriages will end because of divorce and 45% because of the death of a partner. The highest proportion of divorces is for couples who have married young or who have remarried.