Most kids born out of wedlock in parts of Britain

LONDON - Over two thirds of children are born out of wedlock in some parts of Britain, reveal official figures.

Daily Mail reported Monday that the Office for National Statistics figures show in some areas it has become the norm for children to be born outside wedlock.

In Knowsley, 68.5 percent kids were born outside marriage in 2007 and the figure is expected to exceed 75 percent by 2014.

High rates were also seen in some other parts, including Hartlepool - 68.1 percent, Hull - 67 percent, and Blackpool - 66.9 percent.

“It’s tremendously worrying. I think marriage has become devalued, as people don’t respect their wedding vows and therefore others don’t see the point of it.

“Children do much better at growing up against the background of two parents who are married and stably so,” former Home Office minister Ann Widdecombe was quoted as saying.

London has a lower proportion (36 percent) of children born to unmarried mothers, thanks to greater affluence and the high immigrant population. Marriage levels remain high in the Asian population.

Areas with the least proportion of unmarried mothers include Harrow - 21.5 percent as well as Kensington and Chelsea - 23.6 percent.