A former MP who campaigned to outlaw forced marriages has welcomed new laws, due to be announced tomorrow, which will see parents who force their children to marry face jail.

Ann Cryer, who during her 13 years as Keighley’s Labour MP, helped countless people battling forced marriages, has said the move should deter families from forcing children into marriage.

Home Secretary Theresa May was expected to announce plans to make forced marriage an offence tomorrow following warnings that up to 8,000 young women a year are forced into marriages without their consent.

Mrs Cryer, who brought the issue to the attention of Parliament and helped steer the Forced Marriages and Civil Protection Act 2008 through the Commons, said the law needed to work alongside the Forced Marriage Civil Protection Orders and the Forced Marriage Unit.

She said: “My message to families who are still forcing girls into marriage is that it’s totally un-Islamic. They shouldn’t be doing it and therefore if you persist in doing it there’s a chance you can end up in prison due to this new measure.”

Bradford East Lib Dem MP David Ward said the “overdue” law built on work by Mrs Cryer, who he had consulted during his time as an MP after similar cases had been brought to his attention in his own constituency.

Shipley Tory MP Philip Davies said: “As far as I’m concerned it’s a very simple equation that forcing people to marry is an appalling thing to do.”

Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: “I welcome the news, it builds on the campaign that Ann Cryer started.”

Bradford West Respect MP George Galloway said: “Forced marriage ought to be illegal under British law as it is already illegal under Islamic law.” The Home Office consultation, which closed in March, was launched at the request of Prime Minister David Cameron.

The law is expected to distinguish between arranged marriages and forced marriages where there is no consent. Mrs May is also expected to announce a £500,000 fund to help schools and other agencies spot forced marriages.

A Government advertising campaign will also aim to highlight the right to choose who you marry.