# Tories demand Government supports new laws to ban polygamous marriages from welfare system

> Tories push for welfare reforms to stop 'bundling cash to men with multiple wives'.
- Title: Tories demand Government supports new laws to ban polygamous…
- Summary: Tories push for welfare reforms to stop 'bundling cash to men with multiple wives'. UK Tories demand new laws to ban polygamous marriages from welfare…
- Keywords: tories, welfare, polygamous marriages, social security, marriage bill, pension credit, housing benefit, uk government, conservative party, benefit system, news, entertainment
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16223537/Tories-demand-Government-supports-new-laws-ban-polygamous-marriages-welfare-taxpayers-no-longer-bundling-cash-men-multiple-wives.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-20T14:18:32+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: tories, welfare, polygamous marriages, social security, marriage bill, pension credit, housing benefit, uk government, conservative party, benefit system, news, entertainment
## Tories demand welfare reform
Tories today demanded the Government back new legislation to ban polygamous marriages from Britain's welfare system.
## Taxpayers no longer 'bundling cash'
The proposed Social Security (Marriage) Bill seeks to close a loophole allowing welfare payments for extra spouses in polygamous marriages.
## Welfare loophole concerns
Tories warned this can allow welfare payments in pension credit and housing benefit for extra spouses in polygamous marriages.
## Incestuous marriages also at risk
Conservative frontbencher Richard Holden warned against 'special treatment for men with multiple wives and, potentially, for incestuous marriages too'.
## Bill co-sponsored by Tories
The Bill is co-sponsored by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately.
## Bill aims to correct welfare fault
Conservative frontbencher Richard Holden told MPs his Bill is intended to 'correct an extraordinary fault within our welfare system'.
## Bizarre welfare situation
Holden added: 'Something so bizarre and indefensible that I can scarcely believe that we need to bring legislation forward to address it here'.
## Welfare system values
He argued welfare rules should 'recognise the values behind our benefits system, rooted in compassion and contribution, rooted in the values of our country'.
## No financial benefit for polygamous households
The Department for Work and Pensions said there are robust rules preventing financial benefit for polygamous households in the UK.
## Few polygamous households claim benefits
DWP data shows fewer than 10 households where claimants are recorded as being in a polygamous marriage formed in another country.
## Polygamous marriages not recognized
All marriages which take place in the UK must be monogamous, but polygamous marriages can be considered valid if conducted in a country which permits polygamy.
## Benefits for polygamous marriages
For polygamous marriages considered valid in the UK, an award of certain means-tested benefits and tax credits can be for more than one spouse.
## Second spouse benefit less
But any additional amount payable for the second spouse is likely to be less than the amount they could get were they to make a separate claim as a single person.
## Uncle-niece marriages
Mr Holden pointed to a recent enquiry to the Ministry of Justice over marriages between an uncle and niece, or aunt and nephew.
## Incestuous marriages not recognized
The Department for Work and Pensions said such overseas marriages are 'unlikely to be recognised' in the UK.
## Bill aims to put beyond doubt
Mr Holden told the Commons on Tuesday that the Government should back his Bill to 'put beyond doubt that overseas incestuous marriages cannot be recognised'.
## Key takeaway

UK Tories demand new laws to ban polygamous marriages from welfare benefits to prevent taxpayers from funding men with multiple wives.