Department for Work and Pensions written question – answered at on 22 May 2024.
Baroness Buscombe
Chair, Draft Mental Health Bill (Joint Committee), Chair, Draft Mental Health Bill (Joint Committee)
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the benefits system continues to recognise polygamy in social security regulations and, if so, why.
Viscount Younger of Leckie
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Polygamous marriages are illegal in the UK
Universal Credit does not recognise polygamous households in the benefit system. Any adults living in the household would each have to claim as a single person on the basis of their own circumstances.
Benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit do recognise a small number of polygamous marriages which took place in a jurisdiction where polygamy is permitted. This number is very small and declining, since the Immigration Act 1988, it has not been possible for people polygamously married overseas to bring second wives to the UK through the spouse visa route.
Yes4 people think so
No15 people think not
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