Social Security Benefits: Polygamy
Commons · Question 4348 · Tabled 29 May 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Question
Asked by Matt Vickers
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the annual cost to the public purse of additional benefit payments made in respect of multiple spouses under legacy benefit arrangements.
Answer
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms, 9 Jun 2026
Polygamous marriages are illegal in the UK. Immigration rules have generally prevented the formation of polygamous households in this country since 1988. Under successive governments access to benefit support for additional spouses is only available where...