BOLTON MP Yasmin Qureshi has backed changes to the divorce law which will end the need for one party needs to blame the other for the breakdown of a marriage.

She said the reform would end 'unnecessary' conflict and stress for separating couples and their children.

Shadow Justice Minister Ms Qureshi was speaking during the Second Reading of the government's Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill

The Bolton South- East MP told the House of Commons: "In an era when we better understand the complexities of human relationships and the freedom that people deserve to decide how they live their lives, it is clear to most of us that the old and outdated divorce rules need to change.

"We understand that 1.7million people currently use fault to get a divorce when fault is not the reality.

"Given that 90 per centof family lawyers represented by Resolution say that the current law makes it harder to reduce conflict between ex-partners and that 69 per cent of the public are in favour of no-fault divorce, the time is right to change this archaic rule.

"The reforms we have discussed today are welcome attempts to reduce unnecessary conflict and prevent needless emotional stress for divorcing couples and their children."