Although marriage is still going strong in the East Midlands, the number of cohabiting couples is also increasing, with Erewash, Bolsover, Blaby and Kettering ranking among the highest in the country for non-married couple households. Cost is one of the major factors in choosing between marriage and cohabiting. A 'proper wedding' is estimated by the Church of England to cost £16,500. On the southern boundary of the East Midlands, Wellingborough records a high percentage of separated and divorced people with a figure of 12 per cent - the same rate as fashionable Kensington and Chelsea in London. Over the last 10 years the average age at which people divorce in England and Wales has risen from 39.3 to 42.7 years for men and from 36.7 to 40.2 years for women, partly reflecting the rise in age at marriage. Most divorces are granted to the wife (69 per cent in 2004) in England and Wales on the grounds of her husband’s unreasonable behaviour. For men the most common reason stated is separation for two years with consent.
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